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On April 18th to the 26th, Hyang Cho, Executive Director of Good Neighbours Canada (GNCA) accompanied delegates from the Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC) on a visit to South Korea and Japan to learn from their Good Neighbors organisations, work on global citizenship education and explore collaboration models with civil society organizations (CSOs).
The OCIC delegation included OCIC Executive Director, Kimberly Gibbons and OCIC Director of Operations, Lisa Swanston.
Time spent visiting Good Neighbors Korea focused on their global citizenship education program, highlighting its locally-led community development approach, along with discussing potential joint initiatives.
OCIC delegates also had the opportunity to visit key educational partners, where they observed the implementation of the Mental health and wellness promotion program at Gwanghui Elementary School and met youth leaders of the Youth NGO Activist club in Yonsei University.
“Through the Good Neighbors Youth NGO Activist Program, children and adolescents—key actors of both the present and future—were able to engage as important stakeholders by taking initiative and voicing their opinions on the global issue of plastic waste.”
"Playing board games with my friends was really fun, and I was happy to be part of it. What stood out the most was learning how I can support my friends—especially when I see someone going through a hard time."
The OCIC delegation also met with representatives from the Korea NGO Council for Overseas Development Cooperation (KCOC), a Korean NGO network for international development cooperation. They focused on strategic alignment, shared challenges and updates to KCOC’s projects.
"I was deeply impressed by how Good Neighbors connects schools and communities through the practice of global citizenship education, creating opportunities for children and youth to actively engage with global issues. Building on the experiences and insights gained through Good Neighbors’ Global Citizenship Education, we look forward to shaping a strong and meaningful model of collaboration."
For the Japan portion of the trip, OCIC and GNCA met with representatives from Good Neighbors Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC). They further exchanged insights on public engagement strategies and discussed partnerships with other governmental agencies.
They also visited research institutions to learn about Japan’s work in the region and explore possible Indo-Pacific collaborations as well as meet with local NGO Development Education Association & Resource Center (DEAR). Eno Nakamura, Secretary General of DEAR, showed an interest in the progression of citizenship education in Canada and the role nonprofits play.
Through this trip, not only did GNCA and OCIC learn more about global citizenship in those countries, they also deepened their connection with key individuals and organizations. This relationship will open opportunities for future collaborations to promote global awareness to youth in both Asia and Canada.
Through this visit with OCIC, I gained valuable insights into how civil society can drive global citizenship through long-term, action-oriented collaboration with educators, the public, and cross-sector partners. "At Good Neighbors Canada, we’re engaging youth through programs like Water Festivals and the Hope Letter Project—creating pathways for sustained, meaningful involvement in global issues. I look forward to building partnerships that equip young Canadians to lead change with purpose and long-term impact."
GNCA remains committed to advancing public engagement through local programs that encourage critical thinking and educate youth on social issues. Currently, we are implementing the Hope Letter Campaign virtually and in-person with partner schools and groups. GNCA is also participating in this year’s Children’s Water Festivals in Hamilton and Peel, raising awareness about the challenges children in rural Zambia face in accessing clean water.
