Nanjing University Hosts 2024 International Seminar on ‘Lifelong Learning Empowering Sustainable Urban Development’

On May 19, 2024, the “2024 ‘Lifelong Learning Empowering Urban Sustainable Development’ International Seminar” was successfully concluded at the Xianlin Campus of Nanjing University. This seminar focused on “lifelong learning” and “urban sustainable development”, aiming to explore new ideas, new policies and new paths for sustainable urban development suitable for the national conditions of various countries under the framework of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The conference was co-organized by Nanjing University, the China Adult Education Association, and the Jiangsu Adult Education Association, co-organized by the UNESCO East Asia Multi-sector Regional Office, and hosted by the School of Lifelong Education of Nanjing University. Gao Wenbing, President of the China Adult Education Association, Cao Yumei, Deputy Director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, and Director of the Urban and Rural Social Education Division of the Vocational Education and Adult Education Department of the Ministry of Education.Shen Chunshan and Yang Zhong, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Nanjing University, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Xia Zehan, Director of the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia, delivered a speech via video. More than 300 people attended the seminar, including representatives of the China Adult Education Association, representatives of the Jiangsu Adult Education Association, representatives of the executive director units of the Jiangsu Higher Education Society College Adult Education Research Association, and experts and scholars from domestic and foreign research institutes, education fields, enterprises, institutions and all walks of life.

At the opening ceremony of the conference, Yang Zhong pointed out that the conference was held on the occasion of the 122nd anniversary of Nanjing University. On behalf of Nanjing University, he welcomed the guests and scholars who attended the conference and expressed his gratitude to the organizers and co-organizers for their trust and strong support. He pointed out that lifelong learning has become a key driving force for promoting social progress, personal improvement and urban renewal. The convening of this seminar is timely and of great significance. Yang Zhong emphasized that Nanjing University will adhere to the guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s earnest instructions to build a world-class Nanjing University with Chinese characteristics and the important reply to the young scholars who returned from studying abroad. At the same time, he reviewed the school’s series of beneficial explorations in promoting universal education and lifelong learning. In his speech, he pointed out that this seminar provides an opportunity to exchange experiences, build consensus and promote cooperation. He hopes that the conference can become an important platform for exploring how lifelong learning can empower urban sustainable development, an opportunity to explore new paths for the integration of lifelong learning and urban development, and a new starting point for expanding international exchanges and cooperation. Standing at a new historical starting point, Nanjing University will continue to uphold its deep and meaningful patriotism, its ever-lasting honest and simple spirit, and its unswerving pursuit of excellence. We will strive to contribute to the construction of an education system that serves lifelong learning for all and to the realization of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

President Gao Wenbing expressed his joy of returning to his alma mater to attend this grand event. On behalf of the China Adult Education Association, he extended warm congratulations on the convening of the seminar and expressed heartfelt thanks to the organizers and co-organizers. He mentioned the necessity and significance of strengthening the international consensus and concept of lifelong learning empowering urban sustainable development under the framework of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and exploring new thinking and new paths for urban sustainable development that are suitable for China’s national conditions and highlight Chinese characteristics. President Gao Wenbing pointed out that as a national and academic social organization, the China Adult Education Association will continue to follow the fundamental principles of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, actively practice the concept of lifelong education and lifelong learning, and take the initiative to serve the construction of a learning society and a learning power.

On behalf of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, Cao Yumei, Deputy Director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, extended a sincere welcome to the leaders, experts and guests attending the conference, expressed heartfelt thanks to the leaders and comrades at all levels who supported the reform and development of education in Jiangsu Province, and paid high tribute to colleagues who have been committed to lifelong education for a long time. She mentioned that the construction of a learning society has become an international consensus as an important symbol of social civilization, progress and modernization. my country attaches great importance to the construction of a learning society and has made comprehensive arrangements in promoting the construction of a learning society and a learning city. She introduced to the guests the positive results achieved by Jiangsu Province in the construction of a learning society and a learning city, as well as the measures to further promote the construction of a learning society.

Director Shen Chunshan congratulated the convening of this seminar and expressed gratitude to the guests who care about China’s vocational education and continuing education. She reviewed the efforts and achievements made by my country in the construction of learning cities, lifelong learning for all, the construction of learning communities and organizations, and the construction of learning cities enabled by digitalization. At the same time, she mentioned that the next step will be to actively respond to international initiatives and promote the construction of learning cities for lifelong learning for all in combination with the “National Education Digitalization Strategic Action”.

In his speech, Xia Zehan mentioned that the topic of today’s seminar is crucial to achieving “leaving no one behind”, which is an important part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda. He emphasized that lifelong learning is a principle of international education development, and that a lifelong learning culture should be cultivated in cities to provide fair, inclusive and high-quality lifelong learning opportunities for all. He also highly praised the active efforts made by the China Adult Education Association in implementing the capacity building project for urban community learning centers, and mentioned that UNESCO will be committed to working closely with my country’s learning cities to jointly establish a lifelong learning model. He called for providing lifelong learning opportunities for everyone, ensuring equal opportunities in the digital age, and not leaving anyone behind by cultivating a culture where everyone can learn.

The conference held a certificate awarding ceremony for Nanjing and Suzhou to join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), which was hosted by Cao Yumei, Deputy Director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education. The conference played a UNESCO promotional video on lifelong education and a video profile of Nanjing and Suzhou. Stefanie Giannini, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO, sent a congratulatory message, on behalf of UNESCO, she welcomed and thanked the new member cities that joined the Global Network of Learning Cities. She believes that education and lifelong learning are essential to addressing global challenges such as climate change and digital transformation, and proposed that the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities is a real treasure that can meet many challenges and promote progress. Raúl Valdés-Cotera, the general coordinator (acting) and team leader of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, delivered a video speech, in which he introduced the basic situation of the Global Network of Learning Cities and the benefits of joining the Global Network of Learning Cities. He fully affirmed the series of positive measures taken by Nanjing and Suzhou in promoting and promoting lifelong learning for residents, and also mentioned the future goals and plans of the two cities as members of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. He believed that the two cities would continue to work hard to provide lifelong learning opportunities for all citizens.

As the Chinese folk song “Jasmine Flower” sounded melodiously in the venue, the atmosphere reached a climax. Robert Parua, Education Project Officer of the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia, presented the UNESCO Global Learning Cities Network Membership Certificates to Sun Baijun, Deputy Mayor of Nanjing Municipal People’s Government, and Ji Jing, Deputy Mayor of Suzhou Municipal People’s Government.

Sun Baijun thanked UNESCO for giving Nanjing the honor of being a member of the Global Learning Cities Network. He said that Nanjing will take this opportunity to adhere to the value concept of “erudition, liberal arts, and fraternity”, widely gather the strength of the whole society, support the growth of various learning organizations, and promote the popularization of lifelong learning systems throughout the city. At the same time, it will also strive to make greater contributions in promoting people’s health and social welfare, promoting educational equality and inclusion, and developing vocational education.

Ji Jing expressed her gratitude to UNESCO on behalf of the Suzhou Municipal Government. She said Suzhou will always adhere to inclusiveness and fairness, actively learn from advanced experiences from all over the world, accelerate the development of a learning city, continue to serve and promote the all-round development of every citizen, and promote higher-quality urban construction with higher-quality lifelong learning services.

Witnessed by the delegates, Ji Jing, Sun Shuping, Robert Parua, Shen Chunshan and Sun Baijun congratulated Nanjing and Suzhou on becoming new members of the UNESCO Global Learning Cities Network.

After the certificate awarding ceremony, the conference entered the theme report session, which was hosted by Robert Parua, Education Project Officer of the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia, and Liu Cheng, Professor of Nanjing University. Yuan Wen, President of Shanghai Normal University, Kiichi Oyasu, Director of the Education Cooperation Department of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Cultural Center, Wu Zunmin, Professor of the School of Education of East China Normal University, Rika Yorozu, Inclusive and Equitable Learning Project Expert of the UNESCO Bangkok Office, Sang Xinmin, Professor of Nanjing University, Shen Guanghui, Vice President of Fujian Open University, Le Anh Vinh, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences (VNIES), and Bao Huaying, Vice President of the China Adult Education Association, eight well-known experts from home and abroad delivered speeches on themes such as learning society, learning city, lifelong learning system for all, education digitization, and community education.