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UNESCO Promotes Lifelong Learning towards Sustainable Urban Development in Nanjing, China
The Symposium was organized jointly by Nanjing University, China Adult Education Association (CAEA), and Jiangsu Adult Education Association, supported by UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia as well as UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), and hosted by the School of Lifelong Education of Nanjing University (SLLE). The UNESCO Regional Office for South East Asia also supported and participated. The symposium was held under the themes of "lifelong learning" and "sustainable urban development" and concluded on a very successful note with adoption of the declaration to strengthen lifelong learning in urban areas in China. The symposium was attended by nearly 300 education officials, educators, experts, professionals and city representatives from twelve countries including China, Vietnam, Japan, Australia, Thailand, Laos, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Among the others, the Symposium was opened by Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, Mr. Gao Wenbing, President of the China Adult Education Association, Ms. Cao Yumei, Deputy Director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, Ms. Shen Chunshan, Director of Urban and Rural Social Education Department of the Ministry of Education, and Mr. Yang Zhong, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Nanjing University. The opening ceremony was hosted by Mr. Lu Yanqing, Vice President of Nanjing University.
Experts and education officials who delivered opening speeches expressed their views on the importance and practical paths of lifelong education empowering urban sustainable development.
All speakers stated that they will pursue lifelong education and sustainable urban development paths suitable for China within the scope of requirements and framework of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals agenda, 2022 Marrakech framework for Action on Adult education and lifelong learning and promote the construction of learning cities, and cultivate innovative talents that meet the needs of the future for shared prosperity leaving no one behind.
As the Mr. Yang Zhong, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Nanjing University, said: “We believe that through our joint efforts, lifelong learning will inject continuous power and resources into the sustainable urban development, create unlimited possibilities for economic and social development, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind. New and greater contributions.”
Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, stressed in the era of social and economic transformation, had contributed to rapid urbanization and technological advancement, lifelong learning is a principle of international education development. Globally we are facing multiple challenges including population mobility, unemployment, green skills demand it is necessary to cultivate a lifelong learning culture in cities and provide equitable, inclusive and high-quality lifelong learning opportunities for all.
He also called for “together, let us harness the transformative power of lifelong learning to empower adults and elderly, ensuring equal learning opportunities for everyone in the digital environment, and foster a culture of lifelong learning.” He congratulated the Suzhou and Nanjing cities for joining the Global Learning Cities network and UNESCO looks forward to working closely with the two cities.
The plenary session of International Symposium was facilitated by Mr. Robert Parua, Education Programme Specialist of UNESCO Reginal Office for East Asia, and Mr. Liu Cheng, Chair Holder of UNESCO Chair on Peace Studies at Nanjing University. They facilitated the keynote presentations were delivered on the topics including learning society, learning city, quality lifelong learning system for all, access, equity, inclusion and quality dimensions of Lifelong learning, education digitalization, and community education etc.
The keynote presenters include Prof. Kiichi Oyasu, Director of Education Cooperation Department of UNESCO Asia-Pacific Cultural Center, Ms. Rika Yorozu, Programme Specialist from UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, Mr. Le Anh Vinh, Director of Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences (VNIES), and other experts in different fields from many countries. Ms. Yorozu presentation covered “Leaving no one behind in learning city development: Cases of selected Asian countries.” Prof. Kiichi Oyasu presented on the Lifelong learning for “Bridging Generations to Promote Sustainable Society.” And Mr. Le Ann Vinh shared the lifelong learning experience of Vietnam.
More than 30 international and Chinese experts also shared their valuable insight at the four parallel sessions, on thematic topics including: 1, the construction of learning organizations, learning cities and learning societies, 2, high-quality development of community education and community learning centers, 3, promoting lifelong learning through digital intelligence, and 4, Global Youth Elites Career Planning and Urban Sustainable Development.
The closing ceremony was hosted by Mr. Han Shunping, Dean of the School of Lifelong Education of Nanjing University. Witnessed by all the participants. The major outcome of the symposium was the adoption of the Nanjing Consensus. The "Nanjing Consensus" aims to emphasize the core role of lifelong learning system in the development of smart cities. It proposes ideas and action points in the promotion of lifelong education learning, the overpass construction model, a balanced urban and rural development, international exchanges and cooperation, and digital transformation etc. It was also suggested by the meeting to establish a specialized secretariat for the implementation of the “Nanjing Consensus.”
On the following day, the participating experts visited and inspected an urban Community Learning Centre in Nanjing. They engaged with the staff and students there. This community learning centre is a pilot site of Xuanwu Open University, and offers a range of courses encompassing early childhood education and crafts for all ages. This filed visit provided valuable insights into the practical implementation of lifelong learning, highlighting the community’s role in fostering an inclusive and sustainable learning environment.
In this symposium, many parties gathered to discuss and exchange the core elements and breakthroughs in empowering sustainable urban development through lifelong learning, share the best practices suitable for the national conditions of various countries, and release the consensus of the symposium. The symposium was supported by the Ministry of Education, the Nanjing Municipal Government, and the Jiangsu Provincial Government. Their backing highlights the significant commitment at both lifelong learning and sustainable urban development.
The successful holding of the symposium had strengthened the international consensus and concept of lifelong learning empowering sustainable urban development, facilitated international collaboration on lifelong learning, and emphasized the importance of lifelong learning in building resilient and adaptable urban communities. The need for inclusive, accessible education to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and stronger partnerships between educational institutions, governments and international organizations was communicated to stakeholders and young people. The insights shared on building learning organizations, high-quality community education, digital intelligence in lifelong learning and youth career planning will drive future initiatives and make significant contributions to sustainable urban development around the world.
