Cao Lanh Celebrates Membership in UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities

Cao Lanh celebrated its membership in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) with a ceremony on November 19. Photo: Bao Dong Thap (Dong Thap) Online

Cao Lanh, along with 76 cities from 43 other countries, was officially listed in the GNLC on September 2 this year, VietnamPlus said.

Miki Nozawa from the UNESCO Office in Hanoi highlighted that Cao Lanh has strong commitments to life-long learning and has put in place strategies and plans to promote life-long learning in local communities.

The city is also ready to share its experience and initiatives in the field, particularly in promoting reading habit among people, which is why the city is enlisted in the GNLC, she said.

Chairman of Dong Thap People’s Committee Pham Thien Nghia praised the efforts of the Party organization, administration and people of Cao Lanh in building a learning city. He urged the municipal authorities to continue facilitate life-long learning of all people and mobilise resources for education.

A corner of Cao Lanh city. Photo: VNA

Cao Lanh is the fifth city in Vietnam to join the network. The others are Hai Duong and Ho Chi Minh City (joining the GNLC in 2015), and Sa Dec also in Dong Thap and Vinh in the central province of Nghe An (joining in 2020).

The network currently gathers 294 cities in 76 countries.

Chairman of Cao Lanh city’s People’s Committee Vo Phan Thanh Minh vowed to continue with efforts to maintain its GNLC membership. He took the occasion to call on organisations and individuals in the city to build life-long learning habits such as reading books and newspapers daily to update on latest information and knowledge, as well as other practices under the standards of a learning city.

Cao Lanh’s UNESCO recognition as a learning city creates favorable opportunities for citizens to update and exchange their ideas, knowledge, and experiences with other member cities around the world at UNESCO’s global learning seminars and conferences, according to Saigon Times.

The title of “UNESCO Global Learning City” is the international community’s recognition of the city’s prestige. Thereby, Cao Lanh can attract more investment and human resources, facilitating sustainable development.

Cao Lanh has strong commitments to life-long learning. Photo: VNA

Cao Lanh city has organized many seminars, conferences and meetings related to education and reading, introducing its innovative software to improve the reading culture and adapt to new challenges.

The local authority has promoted the important roles of students and youth unions at all levels in building a new generation of lifelong learners who will contribute to the country’s development.

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, a center for research in lifelong learning, launched the “UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities” in 2012.

Since then, the UNESCO Learning City Award has been presented to cities that have made breakthrough progress based on promoting equal learning opportunities for all from beginner to university, promoting learning at home and in community, facilitating learning for work and in the workplace, expanding the use of advanced learning technologies, enhancing the quality and inclusiveness of learning, and promoting a lifelong learning culture./.