The Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center (Director Baek Sook-hee) successfully concluded the 15th term of 'ODA水', the Jeonbuk Region University Students' ODA Promotion Team, which was operated to raise awareness of international development cooperation, official development assistance (ODA), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Jeonbuk region.

'ODA水' is a student promotion team program whose name signifies quenching the thirst for ODA. The Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center has continuously run it since the first term launched in the second half of 2018. It has served as a bridge that delivers international development cooperation agendas to local communities in an accessible way through young people's fresh perspectives and content.

For the 15th term, the program moved beyond its previous operation centered on four domestic students by introducing foreign international students for the first time and expanding the team to six members. With youth from diverse backgrounds, including a Mongolian international student, the team created opportunities to share broader perspectives and experiences on international development cooperation.

Starting with the launch ceremony on March 13, the members who carried out about four months of activities carried out promotional activities both online and offline. They produced SDG action content tied to major observances such as Earth Day and World Day, and they also presented card-news and videos of interviews with experts in international development cooperation in the agricultural field, strengthening online communication.

Field activities were also active. The members operated the center's promotional booth at local festivals and events, such as Jeonbuk National University (JBNU)'s Geonji Daedongje and the 3rd Jeollabuk-do Youth Expo, informing citizens and young people about the meaning and importance of international development cooperation.

Kang Su-jeong, an officer at the Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center, said, 'ODA水 is a student support group that has been continuously operated to raise ODA awareness in the region,' and added, 'We will continue to expand participatory promotional activities so that young people can access international development cooperation in an easy and familiar way.'

Choi Ah-reum, a member from JBNU, said, 'I felt great reward in directly implementing the knowledge I had accumulated about international development cooperation into content,' adding, 'Through offline activities such as operating the promotion booth and expert interviews, it was a valuable time in which I felt how closely our region is connected to international development cooperation.'

Meanwhile, the Jeonbuk International Development Cooperation Center will begin recruiting members for 'ODA水' 16th term starting August 10. The center plans to further expand participation by foreign international students, which began with the 15th term, and to continuously activate youth participatory international development cooperation promotional activities.