ACCU Exchange for Teachers and Students

ACCU Exchange Program for Teachers and Students

Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU), aligned with UNESCO’s principles, promotes regional cooperation and exchange in education and culture for a sustainable society. In collaboration with the government of Japan, ACCU initiated international exchange programs for teachers to foster mutual understanding and friendship in the Asia-Pacific region.

Since 2001, over 5,000 teachers from Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, and India have participated in this program. It facilitates exchanges to deepen understanding of educational systems, practices, and cultures, transforming teachers into proactive change makers. The program aims to create a peaceful and sustainable society that respects cultural diversity. The knowledge gained by teachers during the exchange is disseminated to students, colleagues, and communities, fostering mutual understanding and friendship among participating countries.

In 2016, the ‘Invitation Programme for Teachers from India’ was launched through collaboration between the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, Centre for Environment Education (CEE), and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan (MEXT). 

The objective of this programme is to promote the transformation of teachers into proactive ‘change-makers’. Through exchange activities, the participants can deepen their mutual understanding of the educational system, educational practices and cultures. They are expected to nurture understanding and respect for diversity as they enjoy new encounters and collaboration and to pass their learnings from the programme to the next generation. Therefore, the ultimate objective of this programme is to create a peaceful and sustainable society where cultural diversity is duly respected.

Schools from Eco-Schools India can get a chance to be a part of this exchange programme which is not only for teachers but also for students.