LALITPUR, May 23: The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) hosted a Consultative Workshop and Korea Overseas Volunteers (KOV) Handover Ceremony in Lalitpur on Thursday, bringing together nearly 70 partner organizations, government officials, and volunteers to evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of KOICA's volunteer program in Nepal.
The workshop aimed to foster dialogue on best practices, share innovative ideas, and promote a stronger working environment for volunteers while officially handing over three new KOVs to their respective host institutions.
Speaking at the event, KOICA Nepal Country Director Mooheon Kong praised the long standing partnership between Nepal and the Republic of Korea. He highlighted KOICA's commitment to supporting Nepal's development goals through people-to-people engagement and emphasized the importance of close collaboration with partner organizations to ensure meaningful contributions from the volunteers.
"Volunteer dispatch is a vital pillar of KOICA's cooperation in Nepal," Kong said. "It not only supports development at the grassroots level but also deepens mutual understanding and friendship between our countries."
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Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, senior health administrator at the Ministry of Health and Population, acknowledged the growing importance of KOVs in Nepal, citing their roles in key sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and ICT. He commended the South Korean government for consistently supporting development projects and dispatching skilled volunteers to Nepal.
During the program, KOICA presented an overview of its activities, including the results of the Public Service Customer Satisfaction Survey-a key tool for evaluating the impact of the volunteer program. Representatives from Namobuddha Municipality shared the success story of a KOICA-supported tourism initiative, while Ram Sundar Thapa from the Department of Labor and Occupational Safety discussed findings from a joint KOICA-government monitoring visit to a volunteer site.
Two current KOICA volunteers from Kaski and Ilam districts presented updates on their work, showcasing ongoing contributions in the health and education sectors.
In a symbolic moment, KOICA officially handed over three new volunteers to their respective host organizations: Ugeun Gwon to Bishwa Bhasha Campus for the Korean language program, Mihyun Seung to Shree Gauri Shankar Secondary School in Kaski in the early childhood development sector, and Hwang Pyo Hong to Baglung Special Child Class in the special education sector.
The event also included a group discussion session where partner organizations exchanged insights on strengthening the program. The ideas generated during these discussions will feed into KOICA's continuous improvement efforts.
KOICA Deputy Country Director Sujin Yeo reaffirmed KOICA's commitment to incorporating feedback and enhancing program integrity. She urged all partners to uphold high ethical standards and work together for lasting impact and development.
Currently, KOICA has 10 active volunteers in Nepal and plans to increase this number. The volunteer program remains a cornerstone of KOICA's efforts to reduce poverty, support sustainable development, and foster lasting bilateral relations between Korea and Nepal.
