The Equitable Education Fund (EEF) Thailand invites policymakers, education practitioners, researchers, local-government officials and the public to join its sixth international academic webinar under Project V of the International Forums, titled “Shanghai Learning City: advancing human capital for an innovative future.” The event will be held online on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, from 14:00 to 15:40 hrs. (Bangkok time), marking the concluding session of the EEF International Forums Phase V.

In this webinar we will examine how the concept of a “learning city” – as defined by the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) – can serve as a platform for reducing educational inequality, strengthening lifelong learning systems and mobilising human capital to meet future economic, technological and social challenges. Drawing inspiration from Shanghai’s role as a GNLC member since July 2019 the discussion will spotlight how Thailand could adapt these practices to build inclusive learning ecosystems where innovation and workforce readiness go hand in hand.

Programme overview and speakers

The session will open with welcoming remarks by Dr. Rika Yorozu, Education Programme Specialist, UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkokand Office for UN Coordination for Asia and the Pacific. This will be followed by a keynote address from Dr. Jiacheng Li, Executive Vice President and Professor, Shanghai Municipal Institute for Lifelong Education (SMILE), East China Normal University, on “Human Development through the Municipality and Multi-sectoral Collaboration.”

Dr. Li will share Shanghai’s practical approaches to building an inclusive learning-city model within the GNLC framework and advancing human development through municipal governance and multi-sectoral partnerships.

Insights from Thailand will then be presented by Mr. Praphat Poocharoen, Mayor of Lamphun Municipality, and Mr. Napol Chayananphakdee, Mayor of Tak Municipality, who will share reflections and lessons learned from the Shanghai field visit, including how Thai local governments can integrate the learning-city approach to promote creativity, innovation, and equitable access to education.

The discussion will be moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phanintra Teeranon, Assistant to the President, University of Phayao, who will also provide session recaps. The webinar will conclude with closing remarks by Ms. Thantida Wongprasong, Director of the Office of Innovation for Learning Opportunity, EEF.

Participants will examine: the governance of a learning city in the GNLC framework; the role of partnerships—public, private and community—in city-wide lifelong learning; the deployment of digital tools and flexible pathways for youth, adult learners and the workforce; and how local governments monitor, evaluate and sustain learning-city initiatives through data and practice. Through the lens of Shanghai’s achievements — including its GNLC award-winner status in 2021 for outstanding lifelong-learning provision — the webinar will invite discussion on actionable strategies for Thailand.

Attendance is free of charge. The webinar will be conducted in Thai and English, with simultaneous interpretation and sign-language support. It will be livestreamed via Zoom and Facebook (EEFThailand) and via EEF’s International Forums channel.

To join the webinar via Zoom, please register in advance at: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/05sMz5bUS_ChY1rlQ9rjMA or visit EEF Inter-Forums Line OA for more information.

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EEF International Forums Communication Team:   

Peraporn Sinprasert                      E-mail: eef.inter@gmail.com                          Tel. 062-630-9995

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About EEF International Forums:

The EEF International Forums, an initiative from the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), serves as a platform for sharing knowledge, experience, views, and innovations related to education and vocational training for disadvantaged children and youths. Since its inception in 2019, the seminar initially took place on-site three times before transitioning to an online format due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this change, the seminar’s reach expanded significantly, accommodating a broader scope of content encompassing knowledge exchange for EEF network partners as well. This inclusive approach welcomed speakers from diverse countries, enhancing the richness and diversity of perspectives shared during the sessions. The online events are broadcast via Zoom and Facebook Live, with seminar videos available for later viewing on Facebook and YouTube.

For more information about the Equitable Education Fund and the EEF International Forums, please visit https://www.facebook.com/EEFInterForums?mibextid=ZbWKwL and EEF International Forums – EEF – Equitable Education Fund