• Farewell to Yeji Park, Administration and Finance Assistant

    © EAAFP Secretariat In the words of Yeji Park, "Working at an international organization like EAAFP was one of my desires as a student who studied international trade and international relations. At first, as a person who did not major in the field of environment, all the topics we are dealing with here were too unfamiliar to me. Trying to participate in birdwatching and operating our booth at external events naturally made me feel confident and the interested in this field. Also I believe that I acquired valuable skills and experiences that enriched both my personal and professional development. © EAAFP Secretariat One of the primary tasks I undertook was managing the procedures for overseas transactions including Small Grant Fund 2023. Through this task, I was able to gain a profound understanding of financial compliance, and an experience instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and attention to detail, ensuring that each transaction was executed accurately and efficiently. Another vital aspect of my role was writing a meeting minutes of the Financial Sub Committee, and creating admin-related documents such as certificates of internship, volunteer etc. Since those tasks needed the capture of essential discussions from the whole conversations from the meeting and providing accurate information, I was able to maintain consistency in formatting and content and emphasize the importance of clarity. Also, I operated the booth during external events, it provided me with a unique opportunity to engage with diverse stakeholders. This experience fostered my ability to represent the organization effectively and build meaningful connections with visitors. © EAAFP Secretariat Overall, my time in the secretariat taught me invaluable lessons in time management, organization, and teamwork. It developed me with problem-solving skills, remaining adaptable in the face of various tasks. Moreover, I learned to appreciate the collective efforts that drive success in an organization. Through my internship, I not only deepened my knowledge of administrative and financial functions but also essential skills such as communication, putting emphasis on detail, and adaptability. These experiences have made a strong foundation for my future endeavors and a sense of confidence and readiness to tackle complex challenges working in an organization."


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  • Farewell to Ejin Kim, Communication Assistant

    © EAAFP Secretariat In the words of Ejin Kim, "Working at the EAAFP Secretariat as a Communication Assistant made me experience many things I would never gain if I were not here. Before I joined the EAAFP, I wanted to explore myself as well as my career path since I’m majoring in Global Affairs and concentrating on Media, Communication, and Culture. Throughout my university life, I only focused on school-related communication. Thus, I had a doubt whether I should follow this field for my career since I was unsure how communication can be connected to other areas. At the same time, working at an international organization was one of my dreams, and pursuing the environment field was my interest.  Thus, I wanted to have hands-on experience, which matched my academic background and environment. My experience as a Communication Assistant could widen my perspectives and teach me how communication is important to environmental sectors. During 6 months at EAAFP Secretariat, I tried and worked on new things that were totally new to me. As a Communication Assistant, I was involved mainly in CEPA activities, which fascinated me with the connection between communication and conservation works. It was a great opportunity that I could be involved in activities of various types such as uploading daily SNS posts, publishing monthly e-Newsletters, and facilitating annual big campaigns related to World Migratory Bird Day. Also, I could expand my environmental knowledge by supporting the EAAFP Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation Cooperation Forum and the 11th Meeting of Partners. At Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation Cooperation Forum and Black-faced Spoonbill café © EAAFP Secretariat The first big forum that I supported was the Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation Cooperation Forum. The participants came to the forum in person/online to discuss how to conserve them in a sustainable way. By supporting this forum, I could talk with many people from different countries with experts on the environment and see the importance of Partnerships since conservation could not work by only one organization. Also, I could learn how international organization organizes events to make cooperation between different people with one shared goal. Explaining how to play Lulu game to children © EAAFP Secretariat In addition, one of my most valuable experiences in EAAFP was the World Migratory Bird Day campaign project. World Migratory Bird Day is one of the biggest campaigns of CEPA activities for raising awareness of the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. To celebrate the WMBD, I contributed to creating translated WMBD global posters in 12 EAAF languages, designing three species introduction Card News that was shared on UN Biodiversity, and facilitating the Black-faced Spoonbill birthday party. During the birthday party, I explained how BFS migrates and how to play the Lolo game to the children, and checked whether they answered correctly. I was happy that I was the person who encouraged children to be active in migratory bird conservation activities and provided the opportunity to learn about the birds and their environmental importance. The whole series of events and works could increase awareness of the importance of the connection between migratory waterbirds and water to the public audience. I realized that the public should know the significance of migratory waterbirds and habitats to conserve them strongly. Group photo of Gochang BBR & birdwatching © EAAFP Secretariat Furthermore, by joining Gochang Big Bird Race, I could participate in birdwatching to directly feel the importance of migratory birds and promote them to the public. By running a booth, I engaged people to know more about EAAFP and the significance of migratory waterbirds and their habitats. Joining the Gochang BBR with my colleagues was an invaluable experience because this was my first-ever bird-watching experience and it made me enjoy the bird watching and seeing the many species. Birds and Schools Group photo © EAAFP Secretariat The last important event that I facilitated was Birds and Schools, the Black-faced Spoonbill education exchange program between Incheon and Hong Kong. I communicated with two countries to organize and coordinate the event and worked as a moderator of the Q&A Quiz session. Students enjoyed the whole activity and actively participated in learning about the same birds that migrated to two different countries. © EAAFP Secretariat My internship started with the Black-faced Spoonbill Cooperation Conservation Forum and ended with Birds and Schools. I could never experience these if I did not join the EAAFP as Communication Assistant. These whole experiences grew me a lot and made me increase my problem-solving skills as well as communication skills. Also, I was happy that I could gain lots of environmental, especially migratory waterbirds knowledge. Even though I finished my 6-months internship, I would pay attention to migratory waterbirds and habitat conservation works. Thanks to EAAFP, now, I can go further in my future journey based on what I have learned from EAAFP."


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  • Farewell to Eugene Kim, Communication Assistant

    In the words of Eugene Kim, “As a Global Affairs major, I always desired to work in an international organization where I can learn how people work together to protect the wetlands and the migratory birds, in the concept of SDGs.  When I took Environment 201 and 337 classes, I found out that we, humans are the only existences who can help the environment to recover. All existences including humans, living things, and non-living things are interconnected to each other. Therefore, I thought the term ‘Sustainable Development’ is the most important goal for us. Since EAAFP is an international organization that works for migratory birds and sustainable management, I want to be involved in the process where EAAFP plays a positive role in the world. As a Communication Assistant, my main tasks were dealing with the main homepage by creating new pages and uploading the materials including MOP 11 resources and articles. I also kept track of the media archive on how EAAFP and migratory birds are reported in the media around the world. Furthermore, I communicated with external organizations and companies to organize an event or order posters and banners we need for new events we are holding. As a Global Affairs major, I always desired to work in an international organization where I can learn how people work together to protect the wetlands and the migratory birds, in the concept of SDGs. For my whole life, I dreamed to be a person who can work for the coexistence of people and the environment. To achieve this goal, I wanted to give hands to people who are not protected with their human rights for sexual, economic, and social reasons. After handling the issue of humans, I wanted to save the environment, including living things and non-living things that are getting extinct. What I have learned through the EAAFP internship was the importance of challenging new tasks, without any hesitation. Since I have been studying as a Global Affairs student, I have never done computing work before. Therefore, it was my first-time creating webpages, uploading materials using coding, and managing our EAAFP website by myself. At first, I was so afraid that I make a mistake, and I doubted if I can do this by myself.  However, surprisingly, I am dealing with website management very well right now and became an expert in this area. The biggest events I handled were the 3rd Incheon-Hong Kong International East Asian-Australasian Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation Cooperation Forum, MOP 11, and World Migratory Bird Day Small Grant Fund 2023.   3rd Incheon-Hong Kong International East Asian-Australasian Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation Cooperation Forum © EAAFP Secretariat The first event I participated in was the 3rd Incheon-Hong Kong International East Asian-Australasian Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation Cooperation Forum, which was the first business trip in my life. During the forum, I had to take pictures of participants with cameras, oversee audio during meetings, monitor computers, and interpret participants’ communication. It was a difficult but meaningful time to share ideas about spoonbills protection and wetland conservation with the Ministry of Environment of Incheon, the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education, the Incheon Green Union, the WWF, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Agricultural and Fishery Conservation Department, and various government officials. I learned how many people are putting their effort to protect the wetlands and the migratory birds, which are correlated to our lives as well. Red-crowned Crane © Eugene Kim Secondly, in preparation for MOP 11, I had to deal with creating web pages, and uploading all the materials as requested by the EAAFP secretariat. Since the way I create the webpage directly impacts people’s views on MOP 11 and EAAFP Secretariat, I felt a big pressure and responsibility. Thanks to all effort, MOP 11 ended successfully, resulting in great decisions as well. Thirdly, I handled the World Migratory Bird Day Small Grant Fund for 2023. It was my first time dealing with official contracts, being in the middle of the Secretariat and applicants. The way EAAFP Secretariat gives financial opportunities to the applicants to teach students how much it is important to save migratory birds and wetlands was very impressive. Visit to Ganghwa Spoonbill Cafe © EAAFP Secretariat During my internship period, I am so glad that I learned a lot and experience in various fields. I was able to learn about myself as well, testing my abilities and courage in learning new tasks. It was an honor for me to work with great interns as fellows and staff, who are very professional in the working area with their own experts. It also enabled me to enhance my English skill as well.  I will never forget this precious moment working with EAAFP Secretariat I had in my life, and my life journey will continue to move on to the next step of my career.”


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  • Farewell to Sinwoo Won, Communication Assistant

    In the words of Sinwoo Won, “Working with the EAAFP Secretariat as a Communication Assistant was the most valuable life experience. Since my freshman year, I have been eager to join the EAAFP Internship Program as a lot of testimonials motivated me to do so. Before applying for the job, I could not specify my career goal although I still wanted to work in global conservation and environmental issues. Through this internship, I aimed to get an answer to find my own way in this field through hands-on experience. As of now finishing my internship, the EAAFP Secretariat not only helped to find what I should do for my future career but also gave me invaluable insights and taught me what kind of attitude we should take as a conservationist. Farewell party © EAAFP Secretariat As a Communication Assistant, I supported CEPA messages to engage more public in conserving migratory waterbirds and their habitats. One of the reasons why I applied for the Communication Assistant position is because CEPA perfectly matches my viewpoint toward conservation work. I believe that a bottom-up approach is critical to capture people’s attention and lead them to participate in conservation work. The work experience in the EAAFP Secretariat showed me diverse ways to approach the public and made me contemplate how to develop more effective communication skills. I engaged in managing social media and website, publishing a monthly e-newsletter, producing the EAAFP calendar, and supporting workshops and meetings. Incheon-Hong Kong Environmental Education Workshop © EAAFP Secretariat The first and biggest event I supported was Incheon-Hong Kong Environmental Education Workshop. By supporting the preparation of the workshop, I have learned how much effort the environmental educators are making in their place and realized the importance of the capacity building. It was a fascinating experience to facilitate the in-person event after the outbreak of COVID 19 and I was able to learn about communicating with organizers from two different countries and coordinating the local event with them. Most of all, the participants of the workshop which were local educators in Incheon inspired me and motivated me to find my interest in environmental education. Although I was a newly joined intern and a beginner in the conservation field, everyone genuinely encouraged me and appreciated my effort to support this workshop to be successful. Booth operation in Asian Bird Fair © EAAFP Secretariat People I met in the EAAFP Secretariat are priceless assets in my life. My supervisor was always supportive of me exploring new things, face hardships I encounter while working, and considering my ideas in positive ways. In addition, each of my colleagues in the secretariat taught me good lessons and their hard work and passion touched me. I would like to share the most touching words I heard in the EAAFP Secretariat from the former Chief Executive, Mr. Spike Millington when I asked him what is the most important when we project our message to the public. He said that ‘Share your passion. Once people recognize your passion, they will start being interested.’ His answer to my biggest question in this field shocked me and gave me a lot of energy during my internship period. I hope all I met here keep their passion to conserve the migratory waterbirds and spread their good influence to the world and new interns in the future.”


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  • Farewell to Programme Assistant, Mr. Yong June Kim

    In the words of Yong June Kim, “Since I had a chance to meet the EAAFP Secretariat previously when I was working as a researcher intern at one of the…


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  • Farewell to Programme Assistant, Ms. Hyoeun Kim

    In the words of Hyoeun Kim, “To write this article, I am now recalling my first field trip to the Hwaseong Wetlands, which happened soon after I had joined the…


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  • Farewell to External Relations & Foundation Assistant, Ms. Yeonju Park

    In the words of Yeonju Park, “At the end of the journey with EAAFP and on the way to the next stop Starting from the middle of January, my 6 months…


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  • Farewell to Communication Assistant, Ms. Hyoin Kim

    In the words of Hyoin Kim, “My first workplace, my first colleagues, my first supervisor! EAAFP Secretariat hugely…


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  • Farewell to External Relations Assistant, Ms. Anujin Battulga

    In the words of Anujin Battulga, “I remember that on my application, I wrote the EAAFP will bring me one big step closer to my goals and I believe it did….


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  • Farewell to Programme Assistant, Yoo Jung Kwon

    In the words of Yoo Jung Kwon I started off my journey at the EAAFP Secretariat with growing excitement that I was working for the environment, not specifically for migratory…


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