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‘In Ho Chi Minh City, you can find community learning centres, offering vocational training, digital literacy courses and language classes for all age groups. These centres have been instrumental in promoting lifelong learning and have enhanced employability among citizens.  

However, one of our significant challenges is overcrowded classrooms due to a rapidly growing student population. We are investing in building more schools and classrooms to accommodate the annual increase of approximately 25,000 new students to reduce class sizes and improve learning conditions. We also adopted innovative solutions like flexible learning spaces and technology-assisted instruction to optimize resources.  

We take the matter of inclusion seriously. We want to ensure that all children have access to education, including nearly 348,000 students without household registration so we provide them with tailored support to improve educational access and equity. We also have platforms such as youth councils and forums to ensure that young people can contribute their ideas on city planning and development, ensuring their perspectives shape the city’s future.

We envision Ho Chi Minh City as a dynamic, inclusive and sustainable metropolis where lifelong learning is embedded in the fabric of society, driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for all residents. Becoming a UNESCO Learning City is a significant milestone for us. It has accelerated our efforts to create an inclusive learning environment, contributing to the overall development and well-being of our citizens.'

—  Ms Lê Thuỵ Mỵ Châu, Deputy Director, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam 

Ho Chi Minh City has been a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities since early 2024. 

‘For Petaling Jaya, becoming a UNESCO Learning City has been pivotal in our journey toward creating an inclusive, educated and progressive community. We have introduced community-based workshops focusing on digital literacy, environmental sustainability, and entrepreneurship, and fostered a greater sense of civic responsibility.  

Thanks to the Learning City status, we have noticed stronger collaboration among local schools, universities, businesses, and NGOs, leading to new opportunities for our citizens. For instance, we implemented a project to educate citizens on recycling, conservation practices, and renewable energy. Initially, there were challenges with public participation, but through partnerships with schools and local businesses, we saw a substantial reduction in waste and a more eco-conscious community. Our young citizens are now more engaged in sustainability practices.

Inspired by other cities’ successful youth councils, we are exploring ways to ensure that young voices are actively involved in our city’s planning and development. We are also committed to narrowing the digital divide by offering free digital skills training and expanding internet access. As a UNESCO Learning City, we envision a future where every citizen, regardless of age or background, has access to the tools needed to thrive in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.’

—  Mr Ismathinoon bin Hj. Abd Rahman, Director of Corporate Communications Unit and Assistant Head of PJ Learning City Program, Petaling Jaya City Council, Malaysia

Petaling Jaya has been a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities since 2018.

‘Changzhou takes an inclusive, expansive approach to the concept of “Learning as a Way of Life.”  The city offers a variety of lectures, classes and activities targeted at different groups of people.  

In the past decade, we have organized over 200 “Longcheng Lecture Theatre" sessions featuring national personalities speaking on key issues to more than 10,000 people. The parallel “Alley Lecture Theatre" was created by Changzhou citizens.  

Our “Scientists Teaching the Community” initiative is very popular among parents. The initiaitive has run 1,120 sessions to date, benefiting 373,700 people. Women in the city can also enjoy 75 public welfare courses in five different subject areas, ranging from literacy to art—we have an average of nearly 1,000 sessions per year, with more than 10,000 participants.

Changzhou’s new smart library houses around 1.3 million books for over two million readers. It has organized around 1,800 activities for readers so far.  

We also promote collaboration among schools, universities, government agencies and communities through a climate change education project. The project has reached more than 100,000 beneficiaries including students, teachers, parents and other community members.

Currently, Changzhou is focusing its efforts on making the city more youth friendly by creating communities and activities for young people, enriching their urban experience. The activities include street photography and vlogging about the charms of the city.’

—  Mr Hao Ding, Director, Department of Lifelong Education and Private Education, Changzhou Education Bureau, Changzhou City, China

Changzhou has been a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities since 2016.

'As a UNESCO Learning City, Hat Yai has been developing more inclusive and accessible educational resources for all age groups. Public spaces, libraries and community centres have introduced workshops for people of all ages, ranging from skills training for small businesses to Thai massage. These workshops have improved job prospects for many people. Our city is also working on initiatives to provide financial aid, mentorship and after-school programmes to support students at risk of dropping out.

Hat Yai has been facing challenges connected to climate change, so environmental awareness is important. Our city collaborates with local experts to raise awareness about flood and landslide preparedness and holds regular workshops on emergency responses. We are creating more green spaces, we run waste reduction and recycling programmes, and we have cleaning days, where community members join hands to clear waterways to prevent flooding. These initiatives not only improve the city’s quality of life, but also educate the community about sustainability practices, contributing to Hat Yai's vision as a greener, more livable city.

The UNESCO Learning City status has encouraged local government, educational institutions, businesses and civil society to work together on projects that benefit the community. This has increased our sense of shared responsibility and community pride.'

— Assoc Prof Dr Wichai Kanchanasuwan, Deputy Mayor of Hat Yai City Municipality, Thailand

Hat Yai has been a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities since 2022.

For Surabaya, becoming a UNESCO Learning City has been a transformative journey that highlights the city’s commitment to lifelong learning, inclusivity and sustainable development.  

Surabaya has implemented projects to make sure that we leave no one behind. We have family learning centres in 487 community halls and have been implementing a programme featuring academic education, psychological counselling and skill-building activities in 234 community halls. We want to expand both programmes to all our 1,187 community halls in Surabaya.

We have the One House One Graduate programme so at least one person from each household attains higher education. We also have five academic development centres and four talent development centres dedicated to learners with disabilities, providing them with tailored resources and activities enabling them to develop their skills and knowledge.

We set up a Monitoring and Reporting System for out-of-school children, allowing community members to report cases of school dropouts, which are then followed up within five working days. As a result, Surabaya achieved its goal of zero out-of-school children, a significant milestone that has benefitted countless families across the city.  

The impact of our commitment as a UNESCO Learning City is measurable and significant. The city’s Human Development Index increased from 82.94 in 2021 to 83.99 in 2023, reflecting improvements in health, education, and income levels across the population. Our Gender Development Index rose from 93.9 in 2021 to 94.36 in 2023. The Gender Inequality Index also improved significantly, dropping from 0.206 to 0.128 over the same period.  

In the future, Surabaya envisions itself as a model of a compact, inclusive city that integrates education, technology and environmental stewardship into all facets of urban life.  

—  Mr Irvan Wahyudrajad, Head of the Regional Board of Research and Planning Development, Surabaya City Government, Indonesia

Surabaya has been a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities since 2016. 

'In Japan, lifelong learning has traditionally been associated with older generations. However, Shibuya City is collaborating with communities to establish “Future Schools,” which redesign schools as community hubs for learning. This initiative promotes children's inquiry-based learning involving parents, businesses, and community members. Public-private collaborations like these enhance our residents’ well-being. 

Shibuya’s lifelong learning journey is not new. In 2006, the Shibuya University Network was established as a non-profit, turning the entire city into a campus. There are no exams, no graduation, and no tuition fees. Anyone, regardless of age, can join for free as a teacher, or a student. They can foster unique connections, find like-minded peers, engage in social activities, and discover safe spaces to express ideas.

Participants also gain insight into issues facing the city, inspiring community driven solutions to shared challenges, like festivals for aging communities, disaster drills, human libraries, and repurposed public spaces.  

The joy of this journey lies in countless encounters, surprises, and discoveries. As we inspire and learn from one another, we create new possibilities together. We hope children, teachers, and citizens see their efforts as a collective benefit for the Shibuya community.'

—  Mr Rintaro Ito, Head for the Board of Education of Shibuya City, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan