Chair in Regional Education Development and Lifelong Learning

2021

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.