By John Redmond
Contributing writer
Lee Ju-young, a 30-year-old Korean fluent in French and English, left Korea two weeks ago to volunteer in Senegal as part of the Korean government’s volunteer program, Korea Internet Volunteers (KIV).
Rather than the usual food or medical programs most often associated with volunteering, the aim of KIV is to bridge the “digital divide.”
KIV is a governmental volunteer program supported by the National Information Society Agency (NIA) and the Ministry of Information and Communication. It was established in 2001.
The aim of the group is to reduce the digital divide among nations. The organization believes new technology is the key to development. In other words, the IT gap divides the world into two ― countries with a high level of technology and those still waiting for the digital revolution.
Each summer, about 500 young Koreans are selected as members of KIV in order to provide education and training in these developing countries.
The aim is to work with local students.
“Due to our activities, we can help different local populations comprehend and become familiarized with the new technology,” said Lee.
“We would dare to say that KIV is a nongovernmental association of Korea that offers the world a high level of information technology. The activities this year, headed by 544 selected people, began from early July in 23 countries including Vietnam, Tanzania, Kenya, Guatemala and Ecuador.”
Preparations to be a member of KIV
Earlier in the year, the National Information Society Agency announced their partner-countries.
“First, you observe the list of countries and then you make a team consisting of four members; two specialists for ICT training, one for cultural activities and the last one for translation. "
Lee is a member of a team called NOUER.
“The name of our team, NOUER, means to tie, to bind or to bond,’” she said
At first, the group will give lessons on the new technology at L’Ecole Supérieure Multinationale des Télécommunications de Dakar (the Superior Multinational Telecommunication University of Dakar) for four weeks.
ESMT-Dakar has already demanded precise programs. However, because of the group’s short stay, they cannot do all of what they want.
“For that reason, we are going to give only two courses, namely, C programming and making a webpage.”
The group will also be involved in cultural activities.
“I prepared a Korean language class and several another programs. For the Korean language training, I’m using the manual ‘Parlons Coréen (Let’s Speak in Korean)’ published by KBS World Radio.
“Concerning public relations, we are trying to visit the Senegalese press and the Ministry to present the KIV program in more detail.”
For more information on KIV visit https://www.nia.or.kr/kiv/basic_home.html