Son La city committed to fulfilling UNESCO global learning city pledges
WVR - Six months after officially joining UNESCO’s global network of learning cities, Son La city has made significant strides in implementing targeted programs, practical initiatives, and creative solutions to uphold its commitments to UNESCO.
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Organizing Vietnam's first global Learning City competition
On February 14, 2024, Son La city proudly joined UNESCO’s global learning city network. In the months following this prestigious recognition, the city has launched a series of concrete plans and innovative activities to fulfil its pledges to UNESCO.
The competition, "Son La - My Beloved Global Learning City", stands as a pioneering initiative designed to inspire the local ethnic communities to engage in the creative efforts of a global learning city. This event marked the first time a competition dedicated to honouring and raising awareness of UNESCO’s global learning cities was held in Vietnam.
From July to October 2024, the competition focused on the theme "Lifelong learning and climate change", a globally relevant issue that UNESCO has actively promoted. The theme resonates deeply with Son La and Vietnam, particularly in the wake of the historic Typhoon Yagi.
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| One hundred seventy-nine paintings were displayed at the city’s central building during Lifelong Learning Week. |
Through its innovative and meaningful approach, the "Son La – My Beloved Global Learning City" competition drew broad public participation, receiving 290 entries across various categories: 8 songs, 179 paintings, 62 poems, and 41 initiatives and solutions. These works reflect Son La's diverse communities' talent, dedication, and aspirations for a truly global learning city.
The jury and advisory board selected 38 outstanding works, with the winners announced on October 7, 2024, during the city’s dynamic Lifelong Learning Week celebrations.
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| Son La City organized Vietnam's first global learning city competition. |
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| Secretary of the City Party Committee and education expert Tong Lien Anh presenting awards for songwriting. |
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| The provincial and city Department of Publicity and Education leaders presented the first prize to Pham Kim Bang. |
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| Provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism leaders present awards to two poetry winners. |
Advancing educational collaboration and integration with international standards
With a vision of becoming a globally recognized learning city with modern, internationally integrated education, Son La's education sector is actively partnering with reputable global organizations to implement cutting-edge educational programs locally.
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| Education expert Tong Lien Anh presented a gift from the Finland-Vietnam education cooperation company to Son La City. |
As part of the 2024 Lifelong Learning Week, Son La proudly received education through a music and arts package from the innovative Finnish organization Laulau Learning. Following its successful implementation in countries such as Finland, Estonia, the UK, and Singapore, this marks the first time Laulau Learning has brought its outstanding early childhood education methodology to Vietnam. Son La will be the country's first city to pioneer this approach. This initiative is a significant step in promoting international cooperation and applying modern education methods.
During Lifelong Learning Week, Ms. Tong Lien Anh, representing Laulau Learning Vietnam, formally presented this valuable gift to Son La. On behalf of the city’s leadership and its people, Son La Provincial Party Committee members expressed their deep gratitude and high expectations for the positive educational outcomes this method will bring to the city's children. Laulau Learning’s involvement will enrich the learning environment for preschoolers, reduce educational disparities, and help Son La's early childhood education align with international standards - one of the critical criteria for a UNESCO global learning city.
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| Son La preschool teachers are learning about the role of early childhood education in lifelong learning. |
Expanding reading and learning promotion initiatives
Since being recognized as a global learning city, Son La has undertaken numerous impactful educational projects, contributing not only to the city's education sector but also positively influencing its residents' cultural and social life. The city has launched meaningful activities, such as the UNESCO title reception ceremony at Tay Bac Square, a series of book and reading culture events in April 2024, and most recently, the 2024 Lifelong Learning Week from October 1-7.
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| Dynamic and meaningful activities during Lifelong Learning Week. |
To mark Lifelong Learning Week, the city and its wards, communes, and schools organized a variety of impactful activities, including book fairs, new book launches, author-reader exchanges to promote reading culture, writing and drawing contests inspired by books and newspapers to foster creativity, experience-sharing workshops, and exhibitions of books and paintings at Uncle Ho’s fish pond and Tay Bac square.
The city has also prioritized investment in educational infrastructure, constructing robust, safe school facilities that meet the highest standards for teaching and learning. As part of the week’s events, the city inaugurated Chieng Den Preschool. The project, with a budget of 20 billion VND, began in March 2024 and includes two two-story classroom buildings, 14 classrooms, a kitchen, and supplementary facilities with modern teaching and learning equipment. The school’s completion will motivate educators to fulfil their mission of nurturing and educating children. This school was inaugurated as Son La joined UNESCO’s global learning city network.
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| The inauguration of Chieng Den Preschool coincided with Son La’s membership in UNESCO's global network of learning cities. |
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| Delegates visit and encourage teachers and students at Chieng Den Preschool. |
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| Delegates unveiling the inauguration plaque at Chieng Den Preschool. |
Speaking at the closing ceremony of Lifelong Learning Week and the awards presentation for the "Son La – My Beloved Global Learning City" competition, Secretary of the city party committee and Head of the global learning city steering committee Ha Trung Chien emphasized the city’s commitment to promoting Houses of Wisdom and fostering a culture of reading among its citizens. He also urged committee members to follow through on their obligations to the Steering Committee, affirming the city's determination to achieve the prestigious UNESCO Global Learning City award soon.
