Unesco-Honored 3 Thai Cities, Network Acknowledges Educational Progress

Last updated on May 18th, 2021 at 05:57 am

The Unesco Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) has been joined by three Thai cities, along with 52 other cities from 27 countries that will now become lifelong learning cities.

As excellent models of how lifelong learning can become a practice by showing that successful strategies can promote the growth of inclusive, secure, stable and prosperous communities, Chachoengsao, Chiang Mai and Phuket have been recognised. The latest participants raise the overall number of cities to 230 in 64 countries within the UNESCO GNLC.

The organizer of the network, the Unesco Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), accepted the new participants after hearing the deep commitment of their mayors and city administrations to lifelong learning, a crucial requirement for being a “working city.” Would-be Unesco GNLC participants had to articulate a strong vision for all in the group to have sustainable learning opportunities.

It is planned that the Member Cities, which will be discussed today in an online session, will engage in network events and create a biennial report detailing their accomplishments.

The Director of the Unesco Institute for Lifelong Learning, David Atchoarena, replied to written questions submitted by the Bangkok Post and said he hoped that the three cities would celebrate their entry to the Bangkok Post with their new peers and their residents. It is hoped that they will share shared practices in a formal fashion and collaborate on certain initiatives together.

Mr Atchoarena said, They very much hope that they will see several other Thai cities joining the network and collaborating to provide lifetime learning opportunities for all to ensure a prosperous and healthy future. I hope they will inspire other cities in Thailand and beyond with their lifelong learning methods and programmes.

The city of Chachoengsao has become one of the main urban centers of the country in terms of economic , cultural and human capital. A number of educational institutes and organisations are based in Chiang Mai and Phuket Town is a centre of healthy development and fun living. Many facets of the economic growth of those cities have been focused on their people, who are proud of where they live and their contribution to the growth of their communities.

Chachoengsao, Chiang Mai and Phuket mayors  Kolayuth Chaisang, Tussanai Buranupakorn, and Somjai Suwansupana  were proud of their achievements. Mr. Kolayuth said his mission was to provide effective education to all people thoroughly and fairly.”

Mr Tussanai talked of revitalizing Chiang Mai while retaining its cultural meaning, and the goal of Mr Somjai was to retain the culture of Phuket, the riches of local knowledge and the beauty of our multiculturalism.