Associate Professor Supakorn Pongbangpho, Ph.D.President, University of Phayao, assigned Associate Professor Phanintra Teeranon, Ph.D.Assistant to the President, to deliver remarks on the objectives of the event “Learning City: Inspiring Lifelong Learning in Learning Cities.” The University of Phayao serves as a key institution in initiating, developing, and driving the Phayao Learning City Project, in collaboration with local partners such as the Phayao Provincial Administrative Organization, Phayao Municipality, and local communities. The project adopts UNESCO’s Learning City framework to promote lifelong learning and equitable access to education in all dimensions of society.
The event, jointly organized by the Program Management Unit for Area-Based Development (PMU-A), the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), the Office of Knowledge Management and Development (OKMD), and the University of Phayao, was held from October 30th to 31st, 2025 at TK Park, CentralWorld in Bangkok. The forum served as a platform for seven funded regions to share their experiences and strategies for promoting learning cities and reducing educational disparities.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Mr. Phatthanaphong Sukmadan, Assistant Manager of the Equitable Education Fund, who delivered the welcoming address. The event also featured keynote lectures by internationally recognized experts Assist. Prof. Dr. Hiroko Shibakawa from the ESD Promotion Centre, Okayama University, Japan, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Natasa Lackovic from Lancaster University and the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL). Both shared insights on the Okayama Learning City model and the crucial role of universities in promoting lifelong learning for all.
One highlight of the two-day event was the "Thailand Learning City Award 2025" ceremony, which honored exceptional cities for their commitment to promoting lifelong learning. The ceremony was led by Dr. Silaporn Buasai, Chairperson of the Advisory Subcommittee on "Thatchapoom" Research Institutes under PMU-A.
The event also marked the launch of the Thailand Learning City Platform, which was introduced by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Poon Thiengburanatham. Collaborative statements were also made by key national and international partners, including the Ministry of Education, EEF, UNESCO Bangkok, and PMU-A.
Awards were presented in four categories for exemplary learning cities:
- Economic Learning City
- Local Identity Learning City
- Child and Youth Learning City
- Inclusive Learning City
The program ended with a Round Table & Learning Cities Talk titled “UNESCO-GNLC – 3 Voices, 1 Network”. This session included representatives from Phayao, Khon Kaen, and Chachoengsao, who shared their experiences and lessons learned in developing learning cities in Thailand.
This event marks a significant milestone in advancing the advancement of the Thailand Learning City Network towards international standards. It is the result of a collaborative effort among academia, government, and communities to create a sustainable and inclusive learning society for all.