Representatives from Son La city receive flowers from the Organizing Committee at the ceremony to present symbols recognizing new members of the UNESCO Global Learning Cities Network.

The ASEAN+3 Regional Learning Cities Conference aims to enhance the capacity of cities through knowledge sharing among UNESCO Learning Cities in Southeast Asia and the plus three countries; to identify and disseminate best practices in national and local government policies on promoting learning cities and innovative initiatives at the city level. The conference also aims to establish a sustainable platform for ongoing dialogue and partnerships between UNESCO Learning Cities and other cities.

Representatives from Son La city attended the conference.

The conference brought together over 200 delegates from Southeast Asia, as well as China, Japan, and South Korea. Representing Vietnam's global learning cities, the high-level delegation from Son La City, led by Mr. Ha Trung Chien – Secretary of the Son La City Party Committee and Head of the Son La Global Learning City Steering Committee – delivered a compelling presentation on the topic of building a learning city where no one is left behind. Mr. Ha Trung Chien's presentation and discussion during the parallel session on October 29th received significant attention from the participating delegates.

Mr. Ha Trung Chien, Secretary of the Son La City Party Committee and Head of the Son La Global Learning City Steering Committee, presented at the parallel discussion session.

According to Mr. Ha Trung Chien, in February 2024, Son La city had the honor of becoming the 5th city in the country and the first city in a disadvantaged mountainous region to be recognized by UNESCO as a member of the Global Learning Cities Network.

The delegates were impressed to learn that, despite facing many challenges, Son La city allocates 34% of its total budget to education, including building a learning society. This figure reflects the city's vision and commitment to prioritizing investment in education as a foundation for economic, cultural, and social development and for improving the lives of its people.

Since joining the Network, Son La city has had many pioneering and groundbreaking initiatives to successfully build a learning city model in accordance with UNESCO's criteria. Son La was the first city in Vietnam to launch the "Son La - My Beloved Global Learning City" competition in September 2024, with nearly 300 entries, including: fine arts, songs, poems, and solutions for developing a learning city, linked to environmental protection and combating climate change.

 

Son La City shared its efforts to strengthen international cooperation in the field of education, pioneering the implementation of the Laulau Learning method.

The city actively promotes international integration and cooperation in the field of education. In October 2024, the city began piloting an education method through art and music.Lau Lau LearningIt originated from Finland and became the first city in Vietnam to implement this advanced educational method.

Another highlight is that the city has implemented the construction of diverse and convenient learning spaces for its residents, with models such as "houses of wisdom" and "compassionate libraries". Currently, there are 112 "Houses of Wisdom" and "Compassionate Libraries" in the city's residential areas.

These models are developed on the basis of cultural centers in villages and hamlets. These are not just libraries, but also places where people can come to participate in cultural and sports activities, exchange experiences in various aspects of life, and help each other build a sustainable community.

Son La City shared its success in building effective community learning models such as the House of Wisdom and the Compassionate Bookcase.

Son La City also pays special attention to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the city's ethnic minorities, attracting them to participate in cultural activities linked to learning and improving their understanding. In 2024, the city established 35 Thai cultural clubs to preserve the language, teach the writing system of ethnic minorities, and restore and maintain traditional festivals and costumes. This club model also serves as a place for ethnic minorities to learn and exchange experiences to improve their lives.

The ASEAN+3 Regional Learning Cities Conference will run until October 30th in Bangkok, featuring lively discussions and numerous programs for cultural and educational exchange and networking. The conference plays a crucial role in contributing to the joint efforts of cities in advancing the global agenda and directly strengthens upcoming related initiatives this year, such as the 6th Global Learning Cities Conference to be held in Saudi Arabia.

Delegates from Son La city interacted and exchanged experiences on building a learning city with international friends.

Delegates from Son La city interacted and exchanged experiences on building a learning city with international friends.

Participating in the Conference is an invaluable opportunity for cities in the region to learn from the experiences of their peers, thereby providing insights on how to promote progress in building lifelong learning and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Education Agenda – especially SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. It is also a valuable opportunity for Son La City, representing Vietnam's global learning city, to affirm its position and the values ​​that Vietnamese global learning cities can contribute to promoting the UNESCO Global Learning Cities Network.

Overview of the Conference

Son La Newspaper