6th Annual World Congress of Teachers of the Korean War

The Korean War Legacy Foundation is honored to partner with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, R.O.K, and the New Zealand History Teachers Association to host the 2025 World Congress of Teachers in Queenstown, New Zealand. Dignitaries from New Zealand and the Republic of Korea will join teachers from 22 United Nations member countries that participated in the Korean War to share ideas on how the war and its legacy can be taught in the classroom. A special area of focus will be on New Zealand’s new Korean War curriculum book that will be launched at this event. The World Congress is an opportunity to recognize the sacrifice of Korean War veterans and the importance of studying the war’s legacy in our schools.

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The programs will include:

• Keynote speech by the Minister of the MPVA
• Special lecture on Korea’s miraculous economic development by Prof. LEE Doowon, Dean of Underwood International College, Yonsei University
• Sessions on the new New Zealand Korean War curriculum book published in partnership with the New Zealand History Teachers Association
• Sessions on previously released curricular books that have been completed in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkiye.
• Panel discussion with New Zealand Korean War veterans
• Collaboration opportunities between participants from the 22 countries
• Gala dinner on the evening of October 11th to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the breakout of the Korean War

Date

• Thursday, October 9th:  Arrival — Welcome Reception

• Friday, October 10th: World Congress
• Saturday October 11th:  World Congress
• Sunday, October 12th: Departure

Teacher Qualifications

• Must be proficient in English
• Currently teaching a course that could include instruction on the Korean War
• Demonstrate a desire to learn and teach about the Korean War and its legacy
• Currently teaching social studies or history for ages 12-18 in one of the 22 United Nations participating member countries
• Are interested in continuing the work completed at the conference through a fellowship or special project
• As part of a service component of attendance, teachers are required to either type a transcript for one of our interviews, interview a Korean War Veteran/Korea Defense Veteran (KDV), or create a lesson.

*KDV are service personnel who served in Korea from February 1, 1955 – present

Registration

• A $75 USD registration fee is required upon acceptance.
• As part of the registration, you must provide a letter from your school indicating that you are currently a history/social studies teacher.
• In order to participate in the World Congress, you are required to complete one of the tasks listed below.  You may complete the task before or after the event; however, you will not receive your travel reimbursement until the task is completed. Specific guidelines for tasks will be shared after registration.
  • Transcribe a recorded interview for a Korean War Veteran from the KWLF video archives.
  • Write a lesson plan on the Korean War.
  • Interview a Korean War Veteran or a Korea Defense Veteran (KDV).

*KDV are service personnel who served in Korea from February 1, 1955 – present

Accomodations and Meals

• A single occupancy hotel room will be provided from October 9-12
• Rooms with two twin beds can be requested, but not guaranteed. If you have an additional adult in your room, you will be required to pay a 30 NZ$ daily fee for breakfast.  If you would like to use the pool and facilities at the Hilton, an additional 20 NZ$ fee per person would apply.
• All meals will be provided as follows:
  • October 9th: Arrival day, no meals provided, evening reception TBA
  • October 10th: Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided
  • October 11th: Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided
  • October 12th: Departure day,  breakfast provided

Travel Reimbursement

Teachers from New Zealand

• Up to $275 USD airfare reimbursement for travel will be provided. If you are driving to the conference, up to $275 USD can be reimbursed for mileage at a rate of .60 USD per kilometer. Participants are responsible for any hotel parking fees.

Teachers from Australia

• Up to $450 USD airfare reimbursement for travel will be provided.

Teachers from North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa

• Up to $500 USD airfare reimbursement for travel will be provided.

Please take note of the following:

• Travel will be reimbursed after the foundation task is completed and at the conclusion of the conference.
• All flights must be economy class.
• When checking into the hotel, you must provide a credit card for incidental charges.
• If driving, you are responsible for hotel parking.
• The hotel is a 5-10 minute taxi ride from the airport.  You are responsible for your own transport to and from the hotel.

Expectations

• Participants are expected to bring a laptop.
• Dress for all events is summer business casual for all teacher workshops. The Gala on October 11th is semi-formal (jacket/tie for men, dress or suit for women).
• Participants are expected to attend all meals and events. Guests are not permitted to attend any program-sponsored events/meals.

Agenda

The Conference was made possible through the generous support of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

Photo by Michael Amadeus on Unsplash