Seongbuk-gu Exchanges Lifelong Learning Policies with Petaling Jaya City, Malaysia

Six officials including Petaling Jaya City lifelong learning representatives from Malaysia and the Chairperson of the Korea UNESCO Learning Cities Advisory Committee visit Seongbuk-gu Lifelong Learning Center and Odong Forest Library to benchmark 'Seongbuk-gu Lifelong Learning City'

The delegation from Petaling Jaya City, Malaysia (UNESCO Global Learning Cities Network) visited Seongbuk-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Lee Seung-ro) on the 28th to benchmark and learn about excellent lifelong learning city policies.

The head of the Petaling Jaya Learning City headquarters and related officials met with Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, along with the Chairperson of the Korea UNESCO Learning Cities Advisory Committee, to discuss the global direction of lifelong learning policies. Afterwards, they visited Odong Forest Library and Seongbuk-gu Lifelong Learning Center to tour the facilities and experience the operating programs.

Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, said, “As the proportion and influence of lifelong learning in our communities and daily lives increase, it is important to establish good policies and systems through mutual exchange. We sincerely welcome the learning city delegation from our overseas sister city, Petaling Jaya City, Malaysia. We will do our best to ensure that the learning city network between Seongbuk-gu and Petaling Jaya City operates directly and effectively based on this visit.”

Seongbuk-gu Lifelong Learning Center (168 Jongam-ro, Seongbuk-gu) opened in February 2012. It operates ongoing learning programs, open citizen universities, support programs for slow learners, and neighborhood learning centers within a step’s reach, while promoting lifelong learning-related public projects. The center strives to provide residents with learning opportunities anytime, anywhere, and according to their needs.

Odong Forest Library, located inside Odong Neighborhood Park, opened in May 2023. It consists of six spaces including reading areas and a book caf?, serving as a nature-friendly library and a healing place in the daily lives of residents.