UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
22/11/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 22/11/2024 18:31
Regional conference champions equitable access to education for out of school children and youth in South East Asia
Nearly 100 educators, policy-makers, researchers, non-governmental organizations, business leaders, and media representatives from Indonesia, Thailand, and Viet Nam gathered in Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province, for a two-day regional conference on the UNESCO-led project, 'Facilitating Equitable Access to Vocational and Transferrable Skills for Out-of-School Children and Youth.'
Since its launch in 2018, the project has provided more than 1,500 of South-East Asia's most vulnerable out-of-school children and youth (OOSCY) with access to learning opportunities, while equipping hundreds of policy-makers and educators with the skills needed to reach those at risk of being left behind.
The conference fostered collaboration among education stakeholders to strengthen cross-sector partnerships and promote equitable access to learning opportunities, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4). Attendees included senior officials from education and labour ministries, local authorities, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization's Regional Centre for Lifelong Learning (SEAMEO CELLL), POSCO Viet Nam, and UNESCO.
UNESCO Hanoi
Advancing equity through regional collaboration
Supported by the POSCO 1% Foundation, UNESCO and its partners implemented the 'Facilitating Equitable Access to Vocational and Transferrable Skills for Out-of-School Children and Youth' project in three phases, starting in Thailand (2018-2019), moving to Indonesia (2020-2022), and concluding in Viet Nam (2023-2024).
In Viet Nam, Dong Thap Community College and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Union Centre for Vocational Education and Training led the initiative, which focused on delivering lifelong learning opportunities and employable skills to marginalized youth.
'Fostering equity and inclusion in education means addressing all forms of exclusion, disparities, and inequalities in access, participation, and learning outcomes', said Jonathan Wallace Baker, UNESCO Representative to Viet Nam. 'This project focuses on meeting the needs of the most excluded through tailored teaching approaches and employment support.'
UNESCO Hanoi
Local commitment and broader impact
The conference location of Cao Lanh City, a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities since 2022, exemplifies how cities can reduce education disparities.
Pham Thien Nghia, Chairman of the Dong Thap People's Committee, highlighted the importance of coordination across multiple levels of government in identifying and assisting out-of-school children and youth. 'We see this as a very humane project', he said. 'The results suggest that we need to join hands to carry out more such projects, contributing effectively to the realization of our goal of lifelong learning for all.'
Representing the project's donor, POSCO Viet Nam President Yoon Chang Woo called for continued efforts to empower Vietnamese youth, 'so that they can contribute to Viet Nam's economic development through education and various employment support and have an opportunity to grow themselves.'
UNESCO Hanoi
Key recommendations and future directions
Conference participants shared evidence-based recommendations to expand the project's innovative approaches extensively in their respective countries. They also emphasized the critical role of Learning Cities in addressing disparities and advancing Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
'Learning Cities collaborating across South-East Asia have immense potential to build peaceful, equitable, and sustainable futures', said Rika Yorozu, Education Programme Specialist at the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok. 'We encourage cities to replicate the project's successful strategies to amplify its impact.'
The conference concluded with actionable plans to enhance cross-sector partnerships and sustain momentum toward inclusive lifelong learning.
For more information on the project's outcomes.
For the announcement of the launch of the Viet Nam phase of this project.
#LifelongLearning #TVET