On 11 December 2023, the launch meeting and workshop for the fourth session of the "Rural Community Learning Centre (CLC) Capacity Building Project" were held at the Jingshi Xuetang Building of Beijing Normal University (BNU).

This meeting was hosted by the China Adult Education Association, the Open University of China (OUC), and the UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (UNESCO INRULED). The co-organisers included the China Institute of Education and Social Development, BNU, and the China Rural Education Development Research Centre, BNU. The event received guidance and support from Secretariat of National Commission of the People's Republic of China for UNESCO, the Department of Vocational and Adult Education of China’s Ministry of Education, the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia, and BNU. A total of 120 representatives and international experts in adult education from 75 project sites across 20 provinces and municipalities nationwide attended the event.

Zhang Songyun, director of the Education Department of the Secretariat of the National Commission of the People's Republic of China for UNESCO; Wang Li, deputy director of the Urban and Rural Social Education Division of the Department of Vocational and Adult Education, Ministry of Education of China; Robert Parua, education programme specialist at the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia in Beijing; Lin Jin'an, vice president of the China Adult Education Association; and Xu Mingjun, deputy secretary of the Party Committee of the OUC, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.

Xu Mingjun has highlighted that the OUC has long been dedicated to researching and implementing lifelong learning initiatives in rural communities. The university has developed a versatile public service platform, consolidating high-quality resources, and experimenting with flexible and open teaching methodologies. A key initiative is the "One-College-Student-Per-Village" programme, which has established a strong foundation for the experimental stages of the new cycle project. This project aims to investigate integrated, comprehensive, and lifelong education services tailored for residents of rural communities. The ongoing investigative and action research projects are vital for advancing the reforms in open universities. Xu Mingjun expressed his aspiration that each experimental site will leverage the strengths of the OUC's educational system and digital education capabilities. This approach is expected to facilitate the integration of diverse educational resources and enhance the capacity of rural community learning centres. Through these efforts, it is anticipated that valuable experiences will be continually gathered. These experiences are crucial for playing a more significant role in driving comprehensive rural revitalisation, community development, and establishing a universal lifelong learning system.

Project Coordinator Wu Yunfei from UNESCO INRULED presented the "Report on Review and Outlook of the Rural Community Learning Centre Capacity Building Project." Additionally, Du Ruo, vice dean of the OUC Lifelong Education Research Institute, outlined the primary goals, activities, and schedule for the upcoming phase of the project.
At the authorization ceremony, representatives from the guidance and working groups of the "Rural Community Learning Centre Capacity Building Project" unveiled the New Cycle Community Learning Centre Project. They also presented plaques to representatives from 75 project sites.
During the discussion, Professor Wu Yue, deputy director of the Rural Revitalisation Research Centre at China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, joined Associate Professor Zhang Manyin from the OUC Lifelong Education Research Institute, and Zhang Zhaowen, former executive vice chairman of the China Adult Education Association. They spoke on the theme "Promoting Rural Revitalisation and Sustainable Development through Rural Community Learning Centres". Xiong Wei, who oversees the Lifelong Education Platform at the OUC, provided an in-depth introduction to the platform and the community lifelong learning website. The discussion was expertly presided over by Dr. Qi Xinjian, a programme expert from UNESCO INRULED.

During the discussion, representatives from various project sites shared their valuable practical experiences from their respective regions. These included Pan Xiaoli, who serves as the secretary of the Party branch and president of the Adult Cultural and Technical School in Fuxi Sub-district, Deqing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province; Bai Lianshun, director of the Community Education Centre in Dongshan Sub-district, Jiangning District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province; Chen Hongyu, director of Teaching at the Shou'an Branch of the Community Education College in Wenjiang District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province; and Li Weidong, president of the Adult Education Centre in the Fenhu Hi-tech Zone, Wujiang District, Suzhou City.
Representatives from project sites across 20 provinces and municipalities nationwide visited the OUC's Weigongcun Campus. Sun Hongfei, dean, and Zhang Tong, vice dean of the OUC Experimental School, along with Li Jing, deputy director of the Engineering Research Centre for Technology Integration and Application of E-Learning under the Ministry of Education, showcased the significant advancements made by the OUC in executing the national strategic action plan for the digitalisation of education.
This meeting served as a valuable platform for mutual learning and exchange among CLC project sites. The OUC has initiated a dedicated website for community lifelong learning, offering a digital learning platform and resource support essential for building the capacity of rural community learning centres. Representatives from these project sites unanimously committed to focusing on the objectives and demands of the "Rural CLC Capability Building Project." They expressed a strong dedication to actively developing rural community education. Through these efforts, they aim to contribute significantly to the formation of a learning-oriented society and the achievement of sustainable development in rural areas. This commitment is in line with supporting the realisation of China's rural revitalisation strategy and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.


Extended Reading:

CLC Project Background
The Rural Community Learning Centre Capacity Building Project (CLC Project) was established in 2004, continuing the project implemented in Guangxi, Yunnan and Gansu provinces from 1998 to 2003 by UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Bangkok (UNESCO Bangkok). Guided by the concept of lifelong education and learning, the CLC Project has organized and conducted many educational activities, including adult cultural education, production and life skills training, environmental education, innovation and entrepreneurship skills training, etc. These initiatives have contributed positively in eliminating poverty, promoting economic and social development, and improving people's scientific and cultural knowledge and living standards.

Written by Chen Yuwei and photographed by Song Zining, OUC