Eunpyeong-gu Hosts International Forum on Education for Sustainable Development

On the 2nd, participation from 6 cities in 5 countries including France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, and Korea

Discussion on sustainable development through lifelong education from national and integrated perspectives

Kim Mikyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong District, “Seeking the direction global learning cities should take for a blue planet”

Eunpyeong District (Mayor Kim Mikyung) hosted the ‘International Forum on Education for Sustainable Development’ on the 9th at 2 PM by inviting UNESCO Global Learning Cities from around the world.

UNESCO Global Learning Cities were established by UNESCO in 2015 to share lifelong learning knowledge and best practices among cities. A total of 294 cities from 76 countries worldwide, including Eunpyeong District, are members.

This international forum was held under the theme “DON’T EAT OUR FUTURE: The path to saving the blue planet starts in Eunpyeong!”

Six UNESCO learning cities from five countries?Republic of Korea, Germany, France, Italy, and Ireland?participated to share cases of education for sustainable development among cities and to explore ways to move toward a wholesome future.

The forum was moderated by Ra?l Vald?s-Codera, Acting Deputy Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), and Professor Shin Minseon from Seoul Women’s University.

Mayor Kim Mikyung stated in her opening remarks, “The world is currently in a turbulent period due to the climate crisis. Our generation is the first to suffer its damages and the last that can prevent its progression. Let us seek the role of lifelong learning necessary for a living future on the blue planet and the direction global learning cities should take.”

The opening lecture featured Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, and David Achoarena, former Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning.

Ban Ki-moon, the 8th UN Secretary-General, said, “Education for sustainable development is a core element ensuring the sustainability of the global community. To improve quality, we must strengthen environmental education and work to eliminate educational inequality.” He added, “I hope this forum will serve as an opportunity for education for sustainable development to advance qualitatively and address the challenges of our time.”

Following this, seven representatives of UNESCO Global Learning Cities introduced trends and issues related to education for sustainable development in their respective cities.

?vry-Courcouronnes in France introduced cases such as science festivals, media science, and Micropolis. Hamburg in Germany explained cases including green learning in schools, green lifelong learning projects, greening of institutions, and its sustainable strategy, the ‘2030 Master Plan.’

Cork in Ireland presented its 2022-2028 urban development plan proposing a sustainable innovative vision, lifelong learning festivals, and examples of leading climate action as a climate-neutral city. Lucca in Italy explained cases such as a comprehensive approach to sustainable development, lifelong learning agreements, pedestrian-only islands, and the bicycle paradise project.

Tongyeong City introduced the first domestic UN Education for Sustainable Development Tongyeong Center through Park Eun-kyung, Senior Advisor for the Asia-Pacific region at the United Nations University. Along with international trends, various cases such as the opening of Sejatra Forest and designation as a lifelong learning city after the Tongyeong Center’s establishment were presented.

Eunpyeong District, led by Mayor Kim, presented cases of carbon-neutral practices and Eunpyeong-style education for sustainable development to realize a sustainable city. Introducing ‘Eunpyeong 2050 Carbon Neutral,’ which promotes 35 projects across six sectors to lay the foundation for transitioning to a carbon-neutral society, the establishment of an energy center, the resident-participatory waste separation system Green Moa Moa, and Eunpyeong Our Neighborhood Learning Center, the district proposed directions and visions for the future of learning cities.

Mayor Kim Mikyung said, “I hope this forum will strengthen the network among learning cities and build urban resilience to respond to unforeseen crises in the future,” adding, “Eunpyeong District, as a learning city, will take the lead at the center of the path to saving the blue planet.”