Ceremony to honor Son La city's inclusion in UNESCO's "Global Learning Cities" network.

The ceremony was attended by Ms. Miki Nozawa, Head of Education Section, UNESCO Office in Vietnam. Comrades: Pham Ngoc Thuong, Deputy Minister of Education and Training; Dinh Cong Sy, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education; comrades representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, and representatives of Vietnamese cities in the UNESCO "Global Learning Cities" network.

Delegates attending the award ceremony.

On the side of Son La province, the ceremony was attended by comrades: Nguyen Huu Dong, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; Lo Minh Hung, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Hoang Quoc Khanh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; comrades of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Standing Committee of the People's Council, People's Committee, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province; former leaders of the province in different periods; leaders of the provincial departments and branches; Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the City, along with a large number of people and students.

Delegates attending the award ceremony.

On this occasion, Comrade Tong Thi Phong, former Politburo member and former Permanent Vice President of the National Assembly, sent a flower basket to congratulate Son La city on being recognized as a member of UNESCO's "Global Learning Cities" network.

"Global Learning City" is an award honored by UNESCO every two years. On February 14, 2024, along with 62 other cities in 34 countries, Son La city, Son La province and Ho Chi Minh city were honored to be recognized by UNESCO as part of the "Global Learning City" network, bringing the "Global Learning City" network to 356 cities in 79 countries, with more than 390 million people benefiting from lifelong learning opportunities.

To be listed in UNESCO's "Global Learning Cities" network, from 2020 to present, Son La city has invested 1,440 billion VND, accounting for 33.7% of the total city budget expenditure for the education sector..Facilities, school networks, teaching equipment, community cultural house systems, community learning centers in wards, communes, groups and villages are always invested in, built, renovated and upgraded.

Comrade Secretary of Son La City Party Committee speaks at the Honor Ceremony

Speaking at the opening ceremony, comrade Ha Trung Chien, member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the City People's Council, Head of the Steering Committee for Son La City's Global Learning, emphasized: Son La City's inclusion in the UNESCO "Global Learning City" network is the result of a long-term accumulation process, with the wisdom and dedication of generations of provincial and city leaders. This event is not only an honor for the City but also a joy and pride for Son La province. However, there are also many challenges, because achieving the title is difficult, maintaining and promoting the value of the title is even more difficult. The City identifies the title "Global Learning City" as not a destination, but a "signpost" for the next journeys.

With the slogan “Lifelong learning, sustainable culture, bright future, deep integration”, Son La city will continue to persevere with the goal of “Building a learning society”, focusing on bringing practical benefits to local people; creating all conditions for organizations and people to learn for life, contributing to building Son La city to develop “peacefully and with identity”.

Ms. Miki Nozawa, Head of Education Department, UNESCO Office in Vietnam, awarded the "Global Learning City" Certificate to Mr. Pham Ngoc Thuong, Deputy Minister of Education and Training.

At the Ceremony, Ms. Miki Nozawa, Head of Education Department, UNESCO Office in Vietnam, awarded the "Global Learning City" Certificate to Mr. Pham Ngoc Thuong, Deputy Minister of Education and Training. The Deputy Minister of Education and Training presented the certificate to Mr. Hoang Quoc Khanh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Son La province.

The Deputy Minister of Education and Training presented the certificate to Mr. Hoang Quoc Khanh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Son La province.

Son La city people presented gifts to representatives of UNESCO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Central leaders, provincial and city leaders.

Ms. Miki Nozawa, Head of Education Section, UNESCO Office in Vietnam, spoke at the Award Ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Miki Nozawa congratulated and expressed her belief that ensuring that all citizens have access to and benefit from lifelong learning opportunities is the foundation for a sustainable future and to address many challenges. UNESCO appreciates and commends Son La city and its people for their actions to promote a culture of learning, contributing to achieving inclusive and equitable education for all. UNESCO is delighted to welcome Son La city as a new member - a city with a rich culture with a diverse community of ethnic groups, with special attention to education and training to promote socio-economic development. Son La city should take this opportunity to provide orientations on building a sustainable learning society; shortcomings and lessons learned as well as actions for further innovation and development.

Comrade Pham Ngoc Thuong, Deputy Minister of Education and Training, presented flowers and books to the Department of Education and Training of Son La and Son La city.

Comrade Nguyen Huu Dong, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation, spoke at the honoring ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, comrade Nguyen Huu Dong congratulated Son La City on being listed in UNESCO's global learning city network and asked Son La City to complete the master plan and roadmap to continue effectively implementing the commitments in the candidacy dossier, maintaining the title of "Global Learning City" according to UNESCO's criteria and the policy of "Building a learning society, promoting lifelong learning".

The Provincial Party Secretary also requested the Department of Education and Training and the departments, branches, sectors, unions of the province, agencies, units, enterprises, organizations and individuals in the city in particular and in the whole province in general, to coordinate in promoting propaganda, raising awareness for cadres, party members, civil servants, public employees, workers and all people about the practical benefits that the "Global Learning City" network can bring. At the same time, actively respond and commit to building "Learning Families", "Learning Clans", "Learning Communities", "Learning Units" ..., contributing solutions, ideas and activities to improve the quality and effectiveness of Son La city's activities in the UNESCO global learning network.

To demonstrate Son La city's determination to fulfill its commitments when being listed in the UNESCO "Global Learning City" network, the Chairman of Son La City People's Committee announced an action program to protect and promote the value of new titles recognized by UNESCO.

Comrade Do Van Tru, Chairman of the City People's Committee announced the city's action program.

Accordingly, from now until 2030, Son La city strives for 100% of educational units to transfer management, teaching and learning activities to the digital environment; improve the quality of teaching and learning. Develop a lifelong learning ecosystem, learning at work, learning for work, reading culture, behavioral culture, communication, learning anytime, anywhere. Introduce ethnic minority language teaching programs at all levels. Build school units into 3 centers: Education Center - Cultural Center - Community Activity Center.

Continue to effectively implement learning models with 95% of households, 13 clans, 100% of commune and ward communities, 100% of units and 90% of exemplary citizens; 100% of groups and villages effectively operate the intellectual house model..Preserve and promote Thai Xoe dance, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage; maintain 6 ancient Thai Xoe dances, the Unity Dance; preserve the languages ​​and writings of ethnic minorities; restore and maintain festivals and traditional costumes associated with the handicraft industry and profession.

Mobilize the cooperation of organizations, individuals, communities, clans, and families, prioritize annual resources to invest in cultural development, education, environmental protection, and livelihood creation for people, ensuring that all people have the opportunity to access education and health care in the best environment.

Central and provincial leaders awarded scholarships to students.

On the occasion of the 112th anniversary of the birth and 80th anniversary of the death of revolutionary and martyr To Hieu, at the Honoring Ceremony, the To Hieu Scholarship Fund of Son La province awarded scholarships to 112 students of schools named after To Hieu, 80 outstanding students of districts and cities with difficult circumstances, who strived to excel in their studies as well as in life.

On the occasion of Son La city being recognized as a member of UNESCO's "Global Learning Cities" network, the People's Committee of Son La province launched a campaign to support the To Hieu Scholarship Fund.

At the ceremony, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association for Promoting Education awarded 100 million VND from the Vietnam Education Promotion Fund to the To Hieu Scholarship Fund; the family of revolutionary and martyr To Hieu and benefactors donated more than 2.8 billion VND to the To Hieu Scholarship Fund.

Leaders of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association for Promoting Education presented donations to the To Hieu Scholarship Fund.

Leaders of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province presented donations from the family of revolutionary and martyr To Hieu and benefactors supporting the To Hieu Scholarship Fund.

The honoring ceremony ended with the highlight being the solidarity dance of officials, people and students in Son La city.

Solidarity circle.

Before that, there was a special art program to celebrate the Honoring Ceremony performed by hundreds of actors who are teachers of the City's Education and Training sector, artisans, and extras.

Singing and dancing performance "Sowing letters on the mountain".

Reenactment of the song Han Khuong.

Dance performance "The way to school".

Singing and dancing performance "I am a teacher in the highlands".

Dance performance "Dance of Unity".

A large number of people attended the honoring ceremony.

PV Group

Son La City was listed in UNESCO's "Global Learning Cities" network (baosonla.org.vn)