Cao Lanh is recognized by UNESCO as a city of learning.

Good news for the new school year 2022 - 2023 in Vietnam: Cao Lanh, the capital of Dong Thap province, has been recognized by UNESCO as a learning city. This information was announced by UNESCO on September 2, accordingly, 77 cities from 44 countries have officially joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities this year, bringing the total to 294 cities in 76 countries around the world that are successfully promoting lifelong learning in their communities.

According to Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to UNESCO, the award was first presented in 2015 and is honored every two years. In addition to Cao Lanh, Vietnam has four other learning cities: Hai Duong and Ho Chi Minh City (2015), Sa Dec and Vinh (2020).

To adapt to new challenges and maintain a good reading culture, Cao Lanh city has introduced many innovative software and organized seminars, conferences, and meetings related to education and reading. At the same time, this locality has also actively promoted the role of student and youth associations at all levels to gather, unite, and build a generation of Vietnamese people who are passionate about learning, business, science and technology, and love innovation, contributing to the development of education.

“With more than half of humanity living in urban areas, cities have the potential to promote lifelong learning policies by implementing and supporting local initiatives that bring about change from the bottom up,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. “This year’s learning cities are highly regarded for their commitment to making the right to education a reality for people of all ages.”

Cities wishing to join the Global Learning Network must be nominated by the relevant National Commissions for UNESCO and reviewed by a Jury of Experts. A commitment from city leaders and authorities to lifelong learning, as well as a track record of implementing good education and learning policies and initiatives, are prerequisites for becoming a member of the Network.

In addition, these cities must maintain links between educational, training and cultural institutions, mobilize the participation of many partners representing the public sector, civil society and businesses, effectively mobilize resources to promote quality learning from primary to higher education, maintain good learning in families and communities, facilitate learning in the workplace, and widely apply modern learning technology.

The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities has a mission to support and promote lifelong learning practices in cities around the world by encouraging policy dialogue and peer learning among members, creating linkages, promoting partnerships, building capacity and developing tools to encourage and recognize progress in education.

According to VNA