A classroom in Vinh city of Nghe An province (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Two Vietnamese cities have joined the UNESCOGlobal Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), along with 53 other cities from 27countries.
Vinh city inthe central province of Nghe An and Sa Dec city in the southern province of DongThap were recognised as outstanding examples of how lifelong learning canbecome a reality at a local level.
They haveproven that effective lifelong learning policies and practices can support thedevelopment of inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities.
The UNESCO Institutefor Lifelong Learning (UIL), as coordinator of the network, admitted the newmembers following their nomination by the National Commissions for UNESCO inthe countries.
A strongcommitment to lifelong learning by the city administration is key to becoming alearning city.
As part oftheir application process, potential UNESCO GNLC members must demonstrate aclear vision for providing lifelong learning opportunities for everyone in thecommunity. Once admitted, cities are expected to take part in the activities ofthe network and to produce a biennial report outlining their achievements aslearning cities.
Within theframework of the strategy for 2019–2021, the activities of the network focus onseven key priorities: education for sustainable development; equity andinclusion; educational planning, monitoring and evaluation; education forglobal citizenship; entrepreneurship; learning for health and well-being; andliteracy.
The newmember cities will be presented in an online event on September 23.
UIL DirectorDavid Atchoarena said that the COVID-19 pandemic had underlined the necessityto build more resilient education systems for the future.
“With morethan half of humanity living in urban areas, cities must be at the centre ofthis undertaking,” he said.
“During thepandemic, UNESCO learning cities from around the world have shown that they arewell placed to make lifelong learning a reality, also under harsh conditions,’Atchoarena added.
Vo Thanh Tung,Chairman of the Sa Dec city People’s Committee, said Sa Dec becominga learning city was an urgent requirement, helping the city soon accessknowledge economies.
He said thecity was envisioned to become a prosperous and sustainable city based onknowledge and learning to create more jobs, increase income and improve thelives of local people.
Tran Ngoc Tu,Chairman of the People’s Committee of Vinh city said that the city is part ofNghe An province, a land with a long tradition of fondness for learning.
The city'seducational network meets the diversified learning and development needs of itsinhabitants, he said./.
VNA
