Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning

Events & Activities

December 2021

International Conference on Learning and Teaching 2021 (ICLT 2021)

In his capacity of UNESCO Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning, Professor John Lee supported the “International Conference on Learning and Teaching 2021” (ICLT2021). Organised by The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), the ICLT 2021 was held online from 8 to 10 December 2021. The conference comprised keynote speeches by internationally renowned scholars, symposiums, doctoral consortiums, and paper and poster presentations. It provided an interactive platform for academics, researchers, practitioners and professionals in the education sector to share innovative learning and teaching approaches in higher education, and exchange of good practices in learning and teaching in school education.

The theme for ICLT2021 was “Learning and Teaching for Future Readiness”. Submission of abstracts based on six main conference strands: (1) Virtual and Blended Teaching and Learning, (2) Quality in Higher Education Management, Teaching and Learning, (3) STEM Education and Artificial Intelligence Education, (4) Future Classroom and Next Generation Learning Environment, (5) Heritage and Museum Education, and (6) Positive and Values Education. Professor Lee delivered presentations on Heritage and Museum Education as well as Positive and Values Education with his team respectively during the Conference. More details could be found on https://www.eduhk.hk/iclt2021/doc/ICLT2021_Booklet_20211124.pdf.

Invitation to the 10th Anniversary Celebration of UNESCO Hong Kong Association cum UN International Human Solidarity Day

UNESCO Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning Professor John Lee officiated at the opening ceremony and attended the panel discussion session of the 10th Anniversary Celebration of UNESCO Hong Kong Association cum UN International Human Solidarity Day on 20 December 2021. Professor Lee gave the speech for the book launch of the World Heritage & Intangible Cultural Heritage part. He shared the importance of world heritage education and highlighted the goals of the UNESCO World Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage Teachers’ Training Programme. He said that the training provides insight of heritage education in China. Teachers could make use of inspirational teaching ways to arouse students’ awareness of world heritage and intangible cultural heritage in China. In the SDGs forum, Professor Lee talked about the education of sustainable development over past years and the future development plan of promoting education for sustainable development in Hong Kong.

Professor Lee attended the Opening ceremony of UN International Human Solidarity Day and delivered a speech, providing updates on education for sustainable development and major projects involving UNESCO Hong Kong.

Professor Lee attended the Book Launch for “HK Regional School Curriculum on World Heritage & Intangible Cultural Heritage”.

November 2021

EdUHK’s Affiliate Membership Application to SEAMEO

EdUHK’s Affiliate Membership Application was considered and endorsed at the High Officials on 30 November 2021. Presentation of SEAMEO Affiliate Membership would be held once the approval of 11 Ministers signature has been sought. The Chair looks forward to a fruitful and congenial partnership with SEAMEO and all the SEAMEO partners and believes that EdUHK will be able to make significant contributions to generating impact on education developments as well as other related fronts in the region and beyond.

“Education Plus” Internship Programme

In his capacity of UNESCO Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning, Professor John Lee provided a funding support to the “Education Plus” Internship Programme organized by School Partnership and Field Experience Office of EdUHK. The Programme aligns with the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals in different dimensions while providing development opportunities for our EdUHK students.

UNESCO Chair Online Seminar Series 2021/22

Organised by Professor John Lee, UNESCO Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning at EdUHK, the UNESCO Chair Online Seminar Series 2021/22 is an online lecture series scheduled from November 2021 to March 2022. The theme of the Series is Asian Perspectives on Education for the Future. At each seminar, a prestigious keynote speaker would be invited to share perspectives and initiatives on different topics on Future Education and exchange views with our invited panelist members and participants.

The opening of the UNESCO Chair Online Seminar Series 2021/22 was held on 26 November 2021. It was our great pleasure to have Dr Sobhi Tawil as the keynote speaker. Dr Tawil is the Director of Future of Learning and Innovation at UNESCO where he leads the Futures of Education initiatives, as well as works in technology and innovation in education. The panelist members comprised Dr Ethel Agnes P Valenzuela, Director of The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Secretariat as well as scholars from EdUHK, including Professor Kerry Kennedy, Advisor (Academic Development) of Department of Curriculum and Instruction; Professor Bruce Macfarlane, Dean of Faculty of Education and Human Development; and Professor Eric Tsang, Head of Department of Science and Environmental Studies.

The second seminar will take place on 17 February 2022 and it is our great pleasure to have Dr Ethel Agnes Pascua-Valenzuela, Director of Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Secretariat (SEAMEO Secretariat), to be the keynote speaker. The topic of her speech is Asian Educational Reform and Development: Perspectives from SEAMEO.

The 9th International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (CoSMEd) 2021

Organised by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics, the 9th International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (CoSMEd) 2021 with the theme “Anchoring Science and Mathematics as Framework: Transdisciplinary Studies towards Sustainable Future in the New Normal” was held from 8 to 10 November 2021.

The International Conference aims to provide a forum to deliberate current global issues and exchange experiences related to transdisciplinary studies anchoring on science and mathematics as framework for sustainable new normal and to exchange ideas on continuing professional development programmes as a means to sustain the preparation of high-quality science and mathematics educators as well as researchers in the field of transdisciplinary studies. More details are provided on http://cosmed.recsam.edu.my/cosmed2021.

The Education University of Hong Kong is one of the collaborators of the International Conference. In his capacity of UNESCO Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning, Professor John Lee served as a keynote speaker giving a speech titled “STEM Education: Hong Kong and Chinese Perspectives”. Overview of STEM education in Hong Kong and China with many excellent exemplars were provided. Dr Li Wai Chin, Associate Professor of Department of Science and Environmental Studies, served as a moderator for the session.

August 2021

Book Project on Yau Tsim Mong

The Chinese book involves youth education, heritage preservation as well as education for ethnic minority is co-planned by Mr Edward Yu, District Officer of Yau Tsim Mong and Professor John Lee. In his capacity of UNESCO Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning and Chair Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, Professor John Lee provides funding support to the video shooting activities of the Project. To explore the rich heritage, history, culture and development of Yau Tsim Mong District in Hong Kong, the project team will interview different sectors related to the development of Yau Tsim Mong District including youth from different regions, representatives of different associations, principals and teachers, long-term residence, elderly, youth, students, government officials, representatives for different sectors and walks of life, citizens and academics, etc. Video clips of the interviews will be used for publicity and publications as well as the development of teaching and learning resources for principal and teacher development in relation to heritage prevention and youth education. Through this publication, the project team hopes to enhance public’s interest in and understanding of the development path, milestones, and new features of Yau Tsim Mong District.

The 9th International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education (CoSMEd) 2021

The International Conference aims to provide a forum to deliberate current global issues and exchange experiences related to transdisciplinary studies anchoring on science and mathematics as framework for sustainable new normal and to exchange ideas on continuing professional development programmes as a means to sustain the preparation of high quality science and mathematics educators as well as researchers in the field of transdisciplinary studies. More details are provided on http://cosmed.recsam.edu.my/cosmed2021.

The Education University of Hong Kong is one of the collaborators of the International Conference. In his capacity of UNESCO Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Leanring, Professor John Lee Chi-Kin will also serve as a keynote speaker. The title of his speech is “STEM Education: Hong Kong and Chinese Perspectives” (exact date and time of Professor Lee’s speech is to be confirmed). Dr Li Wai Chin, Associate Professor of Department of Science and Environmental Studies, will also serve as a moderator for the session.

For intested parties, please register online at https://sites.google.com/view/cosmed-2021/home.

July 2021

Lazy Hero Rescues the World Movement 2021 – RISE after Pandemic

“Lazy Hero Rescues the World Movement” is one of the flagship projects hosted by JCI Apex regarding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project promotes 12 international days through interviews, workshops, roadshows, videos and summits to echo and support SDGs. The theme of the event in July 2021 was “International Day of Cooperatives” and a summit was organised to explore the new normal after the Coronavirus Pandemic to echo SDG8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG17 - Partnerships for the Goal. Professor Lee delivered a keynote speech titled “Promoting sustainable development and international exchanges through education, sciences and culture” at the Lazy Hero Rescues the World Movement 2021 – RISE after Pandemic Summit on 31 July 2021.

“Dolphin Messenger”: Ocean Literacy Programme for the primary and secondary schools

With an aim of enhancing the “Ocean Literacy” of local community, the Chair, Professor John Lee supported a project titled “Dolphin Messenger”: Ocean Literacy Programme for the primary and secondary schools running from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022. The 12-month project adopts the flagship-species approach as the overarching strategy, integrated with various pedagogies, to develop teaching modules and materials on Chinese White Dolphins (CWDs) based on the primary and secondary schools’ curriculum in the subjects such as General Studies, Geography and Biology. The project includes school talks, teacher training (online and/or face-to-face), and student eco-docent workshops (online and/or face-to-face) for the primary and secondary school to deepen the participants’ understanding, as well as nurture their pro-environmental attitudes and life values on the local marine environment and the CWDs. The project offers opportunities to the students to become a docent, sharing the information and knowledge about CWDs and marine conservation with the public through ecotourism. For more details, please refer to https://flassnews.eduhk.hk/preview_article/WINTER_2021_ISSUE_2/.

Professor Lee (sixth from the right, front row) and Dr Cheang (seventh from the right, front row) prepare to lead a study boat trip to western Lantau waters to observe Chinese white dolphins.

June 2021

Meeting with UNESCO Chairs: 'International Literacy Day (ILD) 2021 and beyond'

Professor Lee was invited by the UNESCO Section of Youth, Literacy and Skills Development Team to the meeting with UNESCO Chairs: 'International Literacy Day 2021 and beyond' held on 10 June 2021. UNESCO’s work on literacy, identified key issues to be addressed through the ILD celebrations, and explored potential areas for future collaboration were introduced during the meeting.

May 2021

UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development – Country Report Hong Kong Regional Report Press Conference

The UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development (WCESD) was held online from 17 to 19 May 2021 in Berlin. Following the closure of WCESD, UNESCO Hong Kong Association convened Hong Kong Regional Report Press Conference at on 29 May 2021 in Hong Kong. Professor John Lee, UNESCO Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning, and Professor Karen Zhang, Vice President & Secretary-General of UNESCO Hong Kong Association and Director of the Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, announced the Reports by first reporting the WCESD key points, followed by introducing the six chapters in the Country Report submitted by China in the Conference, and the four stages of development regarding the promotion of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and its outlook in Hong Kong in the Regional Report.

At the press conference, Professor Karen Zhang first introduced the background of WCESD, followed by Professor John Lee’s presentation on the experience towards the realisation of ESD and potential problems during implementation of ESD in China. Professor Lee also recapped that the first two stages of the promotion of ESD in Hong Kong were the stages of network building, learning and exchange, research and development, and publicity and promotion, as well as the implementation of the Global Action Plan for ESD of UNESCO (GAP). In the third stage (2016-2020), an SDG lifelong learning system was set up. Coming to the fourth stage, Professor Karen Zhang stressed that “promoting ESD 2030 by creating new opportunities in global crisis” was an important stage from 2021-2030.

More details could be found from http://hiesd.org/wp/2021/05/31/unesco-regional-report/.

Professor Cheung (left) and Professor Lee (right) showing the reports.

The Second UNESCO World Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage Teachers’ Training Programme

The aims of the UNESCO World Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage Teachers’ Training Programme are to provide teachers with the information of organizing and developing school-based curriculum related to natural and cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage. 20 local primary and secondary school teachers attended the Teachers’ Training Programme. Primary students can build the awareness of love and care for heritage and protection of the environment from a young age, while secondary students can have visits of cultural heritage conservation sites, experience of innovation and technology, learning and research of nature, etc., so as to encourage students to take part in world heritage conservation and recondition, and monitoring of heritage. Various educational activities like world heritage summer camps, youth forums, Model World Heritage Conference, world heritage drawing, heritage application and cultural dissemination activities had also been arranged for the attendees.

The teaching materials will be published as a handbook entitled “聯合國教科文組織世界遺產及非物質文化遺產：首屆香港教師培訓計劃” in which Professor John Lee has served as one of the Editorial Board members.

March 2021

Invitation to sign the 2021 Toronto Declaration on the Future of Sustainable and Inclusive Internationalization in Higher Education

In January 2021, York University held the Virtual Conference on Sustainable and Inclusive Internationalization with more than 500 participants from 58 countries in attendance. Subsequent to the Conference, the participants adopted the 2021 Toronto Declaration focusing on the recognition that internationalization and mobility in higher education can and should take place within the framework of sustainable development. The 2021 Toronto Declaration closed with potential areas of action for higher education with their communities and further partners.

Professor Lee signed the 2021 Toronto Declaration to join the collective efforts towards sustainable practices in internationalization by Ms Vinitha Gengatharan Executive Director of York International, and Professor Charles A. Hopkins, UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability, from York University. Professor Lee supported the Declaration with a view to strengthening the commitment and contributions of the global higher education community to a sustainable future.

February 2021

“Hi 17 SDGs逐個講” Radio Programme Interview

In his capacity of Chair Professor of Curriculum and Instruction and UNESCO Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning at EdUHK, the Chair was pleased to attend an interview of South China Media Group’s radio programme“Hi 17 SDGs逐個講” organised by the UNESCO HK Association on 24 February 2021.

The radio programme was jointly hosted by Professor Karen Qian Cheung, Director of Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development and Acting President of UNESCO Hong Kong Association and Professor Thomas Wong Cheung Chi, President of Institute of International Sustainable Development and Executive Director of The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong. The Chair and the two hosts exchanged views on Quality Education of the Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education (SDG 4), development of Education in Hong Kong and the competency of future talents, among many others, at the radio programme.

To recognize the Chair’s contribution to the SDG, the Chair was pleased to receive an award and recognition as a Senior Fellow and Sustainable Development Planner in Year 2021, presented by World Institute of Sustainable Development Planner.

(From left to right) Photo of Professor Thomas C. C. Wong, Dr. Lee Wing, Professor John Lee and Professor Karen Q. Cheung.

January - February 2021

SEAMEO-Partners Lecture Series: Agility in Cross-Sector Trends and Transformation in Post COVID-19 Pandemic

SEAMEO Secretariat will organise the SEAMEO-Partners Lecture Series with the theme "Agility in Cross-Sector Trends and Transformation in Post COVID-19 Pandemic" in January-February 2021 tentatively via the SEAMEO Youtube Channel, given the unforeseeable pandemic situation. There will be three themes, namely “Lifting up teachers’ skills and equipping new skills for teachers/innovations in teacher training”, “Promoting innovative applications/teaching aids to improve teaching pedagogies and classroom management” and “Enhancing future skills for students and IR 4.0 solutions”.

The Chair was invited to participate in the Lecture Series and delivered a keynote presentation on the topic “Educating 21st Century Skills and Promoting Life Education for Future Citizens” relating to Theme 3 “Enhancing future skills for students and IR 4.0 solutions”. The Chair’s speech covered the topics about the 21^st Century Skills, Education reform, introduction and theory and practice of Life Education and the integration between Life Education and the 21^st Century Skills. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the Chair pre-recorded his speech for submission to the SEAMEO Secretariat and the video clip will be further uploaded on various platforms for viewing of SEAMEO partners.

The purpose of the SEAMEO-Partners Lecture Series is to provide a platform for the key players from industry, educational development agencies, and education stakeholders to address and share initiatives and inputs in relation to the education disruptions during the pandemic in Southeast Asia and beyond. More details could be found at https://www.seameo.org/Main_programme/257.

December 2020

UNESCO World Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage Teacher Training Programme (December 2020)

In his capacity of UNESCO Chair, Professor John Lee was invited to give a lecture in the UNESCO World Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage Teacher Training Programme jointly organised by the UNESCO Hong Kong Association, Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development and UNESCO World Heritage Centre on 12 December 2020.

To promote and enhance the knowledge and awareness of the Education for Sustainable Development, relevant theories of sustainable development were discussed in the lecture, including methodology or orientation, educational paradigm, teaching strategies and ethics. The Chair also introduced China’s and Hong Kong’s frameworks for the curriculum of sustainable development and the strategies of school building, and commented on the future prospects of educational reform, school management and leadership, theory and practice etc.

with Professor Karen Q. CHEUNG, Director of Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development and Acting President of UNESCO Hong Kong Association.

November 2020

43rd SEAMEO High Officials Meeting (Virtual)

The Chair was invited to attend the 43rd SEAMEO High Officials Meeting held virtually on 30 November 2020 organised by SEAMEO Secretariat. A total of 173 participants from 19 countries including Vice Ministers and Permanent Secretariats of 11 Southeast Asian countries as well as SEAMEO Associate Member Countries, SEAMEO Affiliate Members, SEAMEO Regional Centres and SEAMEO Partners attended and participated in the meeting. It is the forerunner of the regular SEAMEO Council Conference and aims to evaluate the existing programmes, legal aspects, matters arising and concerning SEAMEO as an intergovernmental organization's administration and activities. In the meeting, participants shared their significant perspectives and made productive discussion.

Education Conference on Humanistic Spirit and Education Innovation

In his capacity as the UNESCO Chair, Professor John Lee co-organised and supported the Education Conference on Humanistic Spirt and Education Innovation on 7 November 2020 jointly organised by EdUHK, Education Converge and Master-Insight. Professor Tieniu Tan, Vice Minister of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Mr Kevin Yeung, JP, Secretary for Education; Professor Frederick Ma, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Council of EdUHK; Professor Stephen Cheung, SBS, JP, President of EdUHK; and Mr Cheuk-fei Man, Chief Executive Officer of Master Insight Media Limited were the officiating guests. Professor Libing Wang, Chief of Section for Educational Innovations and Skills Development (EISD) and Senior Programme Specialist in Higher Education of UNESCO, delivered a keynote speech on the theme of Shaping the Futures of Education by 2030 and Beyond: UNESCO Initiatives and its Engagement with the Research Community. More than 60 representatives from a wide range of schools, school sponsoring bodies and education organizations attended the Conference. Due to the pandemic situation, the Conference also broadcasted online on YouTube to facilitate the participation of the public. Through discussion and exchange of views, the participants explored the many possibilities of education innovation charting the future development of education in the local and international scene.

(From left to right) with Mr Cheuk-fei MAN, Chief Executive Officer of Master Insight Media Limited; Mr. Hon-Kuen HO, MH, the Chairman of Education Convergence; Professor Frederick Ma, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Council of EdUHK; Professor Tieniu Tan, Vice Minister of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Mr Kevin Yeung, JP, Secretary for Education; Professor Stephen Cheung, SBS, JP, President of EdUHK; and Professor John Lee of EdUHK at the Education Conference on Humanistic Spirit and Education Innovation.

July 2020

SEAMEO Centre Directors Virtual Meeting 2020

The Chair was invited to attend the Centre Directors Virtual Meeting 2020 from 15 to 16 July 2020 organised by SEAMEO Secretariat. Attending the Meeting were invited scholars and representatives from SEAMEO Units, SEAMEO Associate Member Countries, Affiliate Members, and Partners. The Meeting aimed to provide a platform for collective planning for future actions, developing new education programmes and creating new opportunities for collaboration. The Chair addressed in a short video introducing EdUHK and highlighting the possible collaboration areas with the SEAMEO Centres and Network, which was shared with the participants during the Meeting.

SEAMEO Research Fellow

With the support from the President of EdUHK, the Chair is honoured to accept the invitation to be a SEAMEO Research Fellow in July 2020, to share his insights and suggestions for the future SEAMEO programmes and development initiatives. SEAMEO Research Fellow is a group of research experts in education, science and culture and to provide technical advices and expert opinions on future research, publication and development initiatives of SEAMEO. Being a SEAMEO Research Fellow, the Chair looks forward to working with SEAMEO in enhancing regional understanding and cooperation in education, science and culture for a better quality of life in Southeast Asia.

May 2020

Hong Kong's UN75 Dialogue

On 30 May 2020, UNESCO Hong Kong Association (UHKA) and Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development (HiESD) jointly hosted Hong Kong's UN75 Dialogue on the theme of "Prospecting Education with Technology and Human Resources in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area". The Chair was invited to deliver a keynote speech and share his remarkable experience with a focus on Future Education with a Focus on Teacher Quality and Student Development.

The Chair acted as a co-convener with Professor Karen Q. Cheung, Director of Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development and Acting President of UNESCO Hong Kong Association at the Dialogue. There were also distinguished speakers, including Mr. Eddie NG, GBS, JP, the former Secretary for Education, the Honorary President of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Economic and Trade Institute; Dr. Lee George LAM, BBS, Chairman of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited; and Prof. Enoch YOUNG, BBS, the Vice President (Higher Education) of UHKA, to share their sights. For more information, please click: https://www.un.org/zh/un75/events and http://www.pearlica.com/hiesd/course/view.php?id=10.

(From left to right) with Professor Karen Q. Cheung, Director of Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development and Acting President of UNESCO Hong Kong Association; Prof. Enoch Young, BBS, the Vice President (Higher Education) of UHKA; Mr. Eddie Ng, GBS, JP, the former Secretary for Education, the Honorary President of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Economic and Trade Institute; Dr. Lee George Lam, BBS, Chairman of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited; and Professor John Lee of EdUHK at the Hong Kong's UN75 Dialogue.

April 2020

SEAMEO Webinar Series on SEAMEO’s Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

The Chair was invited by the SEAMEO Secretariat to be one of the keynote speakers of SEAMEO Webinar Series on SEAMEO’s Response to COVID-19 Pandemic - Series 1: Emotional and Psychosocial Health during COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday, 29 April 2020. The Webinar Series addressed the need to have a platform where key players and education stakeholders can discuss and share initiatives and efforts taken to address education disruptions during the pandemic in Southeast Asia. The theme of the Chair’s speech was “Managing and Leading University Response to Support Psychosocial Health during COVID-19 Pandemic”. Attending the webinar were the Ministries of Education of SEAMEO Member Countries, SEAMEO Centres and Network, SEA-Teacher and SEA-TVET participants, and all interested education stakeholders in Southeast Asia on the online video conferencing platform Webex and a total of 2,300 participated in YouTube Live. For details, please visit: https://www.seameo.org/Main_news/227.

January 2020

Regional Experts Consultation Meeting on SEAMEO Strategic Plan 2021-2030

Following the Policy Dialogue Forum in December 2019, the Chair was invited by Dr Ethel Agnes Pascua-Valenzuela, Director of Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Secretariat (SEAMEO Secretariat) to the Regional Experts Consultation Meeting on SEAMEO Strategic Plan 2021-2030 with a theme on Post 2020 Agenda: SEAMEO’s Role in Achieving the 2030 Agenda in Bangkok, Thailand on 15 January 2020 to deliver a plenary message with a focus on Future of Teacher Education at the meeting. Attending the high-level Consultation Meeting were Vice Ministers and Think Tanks of Southeast Asia.

Met Mr James Roop, Deputy Country Director at Asian Development Bank (left) and Dr. Ethel Agnes P. Valenzuela, SEAMEO Secretariat director (middle)

Delivered a plenary message on the topic of Future of Teacher Education.

December 2019

The 12th Policy Dialogue Forum of the Teacher Task Force

The 12th Policy Dialogue Forum of the Teacher Task Force was co-organised by The Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030 at UNESCO in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) from 8-11 December 2019.

The Policy Dialogue Forum set out to bring together around 300 key education stakeholders from around the world to reflect on current teaching policies and practices and discussed visions of teaching and learning that responded to the challenges of the 21st century. The theme of this year’s Forum was “The Futures of Teaching”, which sought to capture emerging trends and challenges, and provided evidence to support Member States and organisations as they strived to achieve the sustainable development goal on teachers and the whole Education 2030 Agenda.

(From left to right) Dean Professor Fahad S. Al-Shaya King of Saud University; Professor John Lee of EdUHK; Dr Datin Bushro Binti Ali, Selangor, Malaysia; Asso Professor Vong Deuan, OSAY Deputy Director General, Department of Teacher Education, Ministry of Education and Sports, Lao at the 12th Policy Dialogue Forum of the Teacher Task Force.

November 2019

Visit to the UNESCO Bangkok Office

The Chair paid a visit to the UNESCO Bangkok Office on 27 November 2019 to meet Mr Shigeru Aoyagi, UNESCO Bangkok Diector and Mr Libang Wang, Chief of Section for Educational Innovations and Skills Development (EISD) and Senior Programme Specialist in Higher Education.

A short presentation about the Chair’s support to the Sustainable Development Goals of UNESCO and some current projects and movements of the activities and events supported by UNESCO Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning at EdUHK was given at the meeting. The discussion ranged over the work of the UNESCO Bangkok Office and the many ways EdUHK and UNESCO can work together possibly in collaboration with UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office and National Commission of the People's Republic of China for UNESCO under the Ministry of Education, People’s Republic of China. A particular focus was UNESCO’s Futures of Education initiative “a global initiative to reimagine how knowledge and learning can shape the future of humanity and the planet”.

More collaborative opportunities would be further explored with UNESCO Bangkok and Mr Libing Wang as well as UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office and National Commission of the People's Republic of China for UNESCO in the future to place impact not just educationally, but in the betterment of lives of people for the People’s Republic of China and throughout the region.

Meeting with Mr Libang Wang (left) and Mr Shigeru Aoyagi (second right) at the UNESCO Bangkok Office.

Academic Workshop: Confronting Inequality and Social Exclusion

The academic workshop was held from 9 to 11 November, 2019. The three-day workshop was co-hosted by the Department of Asian and Policy Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong and Justice Centre Hong Kong (“Justice Centre”). It was sponsored by The Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the UNESCO Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning, The Education University of Hong Kong.

The workshop, Confronting Inequality and Social Exclusion in Hong Kong sought to draw from international expertise and invigorate regional dialogue to create mutually beneficial discussions on policymaking and advocacy to manage inequality in Hong Kong.

Please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/913488878985825/ for more information.

July - August 2019

16th International Geography Olympiad (iGeo)

The International Geography Olympiad (iGeo) is an annual competition for the best 16 to 19 year old geography students from all over the world. Students chosen to represent their countries are the very best, chosen from thousands of students who participate enthusiastically in their own National Geography Olympiads. The iGeo consists of three parts: a written test, a multimedia test and substantial fieldwork requiring observation, leading to cartographic representation and geographical analysis. The programme also includes poster presentations by teams, cultural exchanges, and time for students to get to know their fellow students and explore the host city. (cited from The INTERNATIONAL GEOGRAPHY OLYMPIAD)

The 2019 iGeo was held in Hong Kong from 30 July to 5 August, 2019. The theme was “Discovering a vibrant city for our smart future”. The event was organized by The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) and was co-organised by the local organising committee and Hong Kong Geographical Association. For more information, please visit https://www.eduhk.hk/igeo2019/#organizers_the .

July 2019

Hong Kong’s First Ever International Geography Olympiad

The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) held today (31 July) the opening ceremony for the International Geography Olympiad (iGeo), an annual event intended to arouse interest in geographical and environmental studies among the young people around the world. The seven-day event, organised by the Department of Social Sciences of EdUHK, is being held in Hong Kong for the first time.

The Olympiad has brought together 166 top geography students and over 80 education practitioners from 43 countries. At the Olympiad, students will showcase their map, inquiry and graphicacy skills in the component tests to compete for top honours.

The theme of this year’s Olympiad is ‘Discovering a vibrant city for our smart future’. A Chinese couplet, “Familiarising astronomy and Understanding geography; Knowing seven continents and Learning five oceans”, was written to convey the best wishes for iGeo 2019.

The 16th International Geography Olympiad is co-organised by the local organising committee and Hong Kong Geographical Association. Key members of the local organizing committee include Professor John Lee Chi-kin, Dr Alice Chow Sin-yin, Dr Irene Cheng Nga-yee, Dr Lewis Cheung Ting-on and Dr Lincoln Fok. For event details, please visit https://www.eduhk.hk/igeo2019/

(Source: EdUHK Press Release)

June 2019

Press Conference of Life Education and Citizen Science through Tree Protection and Conservation project

At a press conference today (24 June), The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) announced the commencement of a two-year project, titled Life Education and Citizen Science through Tree Protection and Conservation. The project aims to develop a platform for the community to contribute to the greening and re-greening in Hong Kong to raise public awareness of tree conservation and to promote the importance of Life Education.

Speaking at the press conference, Professor Lee said, “Under the extreme weather in recent years, the formation of super typhoons has caused severe damage to our green landscape. With the aim of addressing the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals, our project places paramount importance on preserving urban forests and trees, and engages citizens to join hands and learn about urban trees and people–nature interactions through the environmental perspective of life education.”

The project will be implemented in two phases: (i) the development of a mobile app, and (ii) development of teaching and learning materials. The mobile app will be developed to facilitate citizens’ and students’ learning of visual tree assessment and will include a platform for users to upload tree assessment results and photographs. Following the first phase, teaching materials will be developed to engage EdUHK students and students from six local primary and secondary seed schools in tree assessment through fieldwork and learn about the importance of tree conservation through their related school subjects.

The two-year Life Education and Citizen Science through Tree Protection and Conservation project was announced on 24 June 2019.

(Source: EdUHK Press Release)

May 2019

Announcement of UNESCO Chair’s appointment

The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) held a ceremony on 2 May 2019 to celebrate the third appointment of the UNESCO Chair. The appointment, first awarded to EdUHK in 2011, has been renewed for another four-year term, and has been renamed the UNESCO Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning.

Addressing the ceremony, Vice President (Research and Development) Professor Lui Tai-lok said, “EdUHK has long championed the nurturing of professional educators through innovative learning and teaching, in addition to advocating education for all across the region. With this re-appointment, I have every confidence that the new UNESCO Chair will develop a broader network with other UNESCO Chairs and institutions to maximise synergy for the benefit of Hong Kong society and beyond in the long run.”

On the occasion, Professor Lee outlined the major focal points over the coming four years of appointment, including support for UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals, the development of 21st century skills and positive values, capacity building across education sectors, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Other UNESCO priorities and strategies, including life and values education, environmental education and intercultural education, will be involved as well.

(Source: EdUHK Press Release)

Links to media:

Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre (京港學術交流中心)

EdUHK Press Release

Hong Kong Tertiary Student Group (香港專上學生協進會)

Hong Kong Tutors’ Association (香港導師會)

Sina (新浪)

SingTaoDaily (星島日報)

WenWeiPo (文匯報)

April 2019

Visit to the UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office and the National Commission of China for UNESCO

With the aim of expanding the impact on Hong Kong and other regions, the Chair presented his four-year work plan in meetings on 29 April 2019 in Beijing with the Director, Dr Marielza Oliveira, and Programme Specialist for Education, Mr Robert Parua, of UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office and the Secretary General of National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO, Mr Qin Changwei, respectively. The Chair will continue to strengthen connections with other UNESCO Chairs, as well as local and international institutions, to facilitate collaboration in research, projects, publications and other activities, such as seminars and student internship scheme.

March 2019

Open Lecture: Interreligious Dialogue and Peacebuilding in Multicultural City with Professor Gordon Mitchell, University of Hamburg

Prof. Gordon Mitchell is the incumbent Professor for Religion and Intercultural Education in the University of Hamburg and is an expert in religious education, and an influential researcher in the field of religion in public education and creative arts in peace education, as well as cross-cultural and interreligious dialogue. Invited by Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education, Professor Gordon Mitchell visited EdUHK from 26 to 28 March 2019. During his visit, Professor Mitchell delivered an Open Lecture on 27 March 2019 and provided one-on-one consultations on 28 March 2019 to our colleagues and postgraduate students. The Open Lecture was well received by the attending students.

February 2019

Prof Bob Adamson retires as UNESCO Chair

With the second UNESCO Chair term of office coming to a close in early 2019, Prof Bob Adamson has announced his retirement from the position. A new announcement about future arrangements will be made shortly.