Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat

TC Activities 4th Trilateral Environmental Teachers’ Exchange Program held in Incheon 2025-08-04 ~ 2025-08-07

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On 4-7 August, 2025, the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) hosted the 4th Trilateral Environmental Teachers’ Exchange Program (TTEP) in Incheon, ROK, bringing together educators from Korea, Japan, and China under the theme “Shared Vision, Shared Responsibility, Shared Future.” The program aimed to strengthen regional cooperation on sustainability education through the lens of the circular economy.

Building on the commitments made at the 25th Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting (TEMM) under the Tripartite Joint Action Plan 2021–2025, the TTEP marks a milestone in turning regional circular economy goals into classroom practice. This year’s program, aligned with TJAP’s focus on 3R policies and zero-waste cities, also welcomed teachers from diverse disciplines beyond environmental education.

At the opening ceremony, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup welcomed the participants and highlighted the program’s role in deepening understanding of circular economy concepts, facilitating knowledge-sharing, and promoting cross-border cooperation among teachers from the three countries. He underscored the value of combining lectures, policy discussions, case studies, and field visits to equip educators with practical tools for fostering environmental awareness and resource efficiency in schools.

Following his remarks, representatives from the environment ministries of Korea, Japan, and China delivered congratulatory messages, reiterating the importance of trilateral environmental cooperation and extending best wishes for the program’s success.

On the second day, expert lectures featured speakers from academia, business, and international organizations, addressing the topics:1) Korea’s Circular Economy Policy and School Engagement; 2) Case Study: Community and School-Based Resource Recycling in Korea; 3) How to Integrate Circular Economy into Cross-Disciplinary School Subjects.

These sessions broadened participants’ perspectives on policy application, community engagement, and cross-disciplinary teaching. In the afternoon, participants were divided into two groups to design lesson plans for delivery to Korean elementary and high school students.

On the third day, teachers visited Deokshin High School and Incheon Seo-gu Youth Center to deliver lessons on the themes of Marine Litter and the 3Rs, which received strong positive feedback from students. This marked the first time in TTEP history that participating teachers conducted classes directly for local students. The professionalism, dedication, and care demonstrated by educators from all three countries transcended nationality, leaving a lasting impression on both students and observers.

In the afternoon, the group visited the Green Climate Fund headquarters, engaging in exchanges with experts on climate and environmental education practices. The teachers also paid a visit to the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ), where they learned about innovative sustainability measures implemented at the municipal level.

The program concluded on the fourth day with a closing ceremony, during which participants reflected on their experiences and shared takeaways from the exchange.

By fostering collaboration among policymakers, educators, and practitioners, TTEP strengthens the human and institutional foundations of the regional green economy. It equips teachers with knowledge, tools, and networks to inspire future generations toward building sustainable, zero-waste societies in the region. The outcomes of this year’s program will be reported to the 26th Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting.