Only Three Cities Nationwide Advance to the Finals This Year
Gangdong-gu, the Only Representative Among Seoul's Districts
Gangdong-gu, Seoul announced on July 10 that it has passed the domestic preliminary round for new membership in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) for 2025. This year, only three cities nationwide have advanced to the finals, and Gangdong-gu is the only one among Seoul's autonomous districts.
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities is an international city cooperation network established by UNESCO in 2015. Cities that effectively manage educational resources to promote lifelong learning throughout all stages of life are eligible to join. Currently, 356 cities from 79 countries worldwide, including 56 cities from South Korea, are participating as members.
Gangdong-gu has developed the "Lifelong Learning 2025 Mid- to Long-Term Development Plan" and, based on this, has built a customized learning system tailored to each stage of life. Resident-led programs such as "Anyone Can Learn School," which is planned and operated directly by residents, the "Gangdong Knowledge Plus" lecture series featuring invited speakers, and "It's Okay to Be Slow! Stories of Slow Learners" for caregivers of individuals with borderline intelligence, are highly regarded as educational content that reflects the lifelong learning needs of the local community.
In addition, lifelong learning programs have been closely linked to residents' everyday spaces through initiatives such as the "Nearby Library Lifelong Learning Center" in connection with district-run libraries including Gangdong Forest Library, and the "Neighborhood Lifelong Learning Center" at local hubs. Notably, the Gangdong Village Media Support Center, which is uniquely operated directly by the local government as a lifelong learning center, has received significant positive feedback for its diverse "Digital Media Lifelong Learning" programs.
The final decision on GNLC membership will be announced in the fourth quarter of this year after the main evaluation by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL). If Gangdong-gu is ultimately selected, it will become the ninth district in Seoul to join the network. This is expected to serve as both external validation of the competitiveness of Gangdong-gu's lifelong learning policies and an opportunity to further elevate its international standing.
Lee Soohee, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, stated, "We will make every effort to ensure that Gangdong-gu's lifelong learning policies, which are advancing onto the global stage, are realized as tangible educational welfare in the daily lives of our residents."
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