SEAMEO-SPAFA ( Thailand ) and UNESCO-APCEIU ( Korea ) CARD GAME ON CULTURE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

A Successful Collaboration

In June 2005, SPAFA undertook a collaboration with UNESCO-APCEIU (Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding). The project involved generating a teaching tool kit for EIU (Education for International Understanding). The area focus was arts, culture and general knowledge of the 11-member countries of Southeast Asia ( Brunei , Cambodia , Indonesia , Laos , Malaysia , Myanmar , Philippines , Singapore , Thailand , Vietnam and Timor-Leste) .

The end-product was a portable and compact form of a card game titled “O'oh”. It contains 64 cards with questions and answers, accompanied by hand-painted illustrations and a sheet on the rules of the game. “O'oh” is targeted at school children aged 10 and a few years above. Not only does the game itself encourage active interaction amongst students, teachers can also readily use the cards for quiz sessions in class.

The content of “O'oh” has been carefully formulated, in consultation with the Ministry of Education in Singapore . It was officially launched on 17 July 2006 at the SEAMEO Centre Directors' Meeting in Bangkok . The card game has also been translated into Thai language. It has been distributed to various Ministry of Education in the region. An online version is at www.en.unescoapceiu.org

EIU Vision in Southeast Asia

The philosophy of EIU forms the cornerstone of this successful collaboration. Both agencies hold the conviction that education can make an impact on the minds, especially of the young school children, about cultural knowledge and sensitivity. Only through cultivating knowledge, wisdom and sympathy can we begin to envision peace and tolerance.

Southeast Asia is the cradle of some the world's richest and most diverse cultures. As a region, there are as many shared similarities as there are unique distinctions. It is essential that we identify and teach the special characteristics that define each country that makes up the wonderful region called Southeast Asia . Along with this, we also impart the cultural heritage, values and pride that sustain our people's way of life.

This project is just the beginning step. The wealth of knowledge we can pass on to our young generation is vast. As a fast-developing region, cultural identity is constantly hybridizing and diversifying. The scope and challenges that EIU faces are therefore rich and rewarding.

Mr. Kang Dai-Geun, Director UNESCO-APCEIU
50-14 Myong-dong 2-ga, Chung-gu, Seoul , Korea 100-810
Tel: (+82-2)774-3956  Fax: (+82-2)774-3957

Dr. Pisit Charoenwongse, Director SEAMEO-SPAFA
81/1 Sri Ayutthaya Road, Samsen, Dusit Bangkok, Thailand 10300
Tel: (+66-2)2804022 Fax: (+66-2)804030