“Capital of Learning” for comprehensive development
As the Chinese national capital, Beijing officially launched its learning city agenda in 1999 to promote innovation, sustainability and inclusiveness.
Vision and motivation
The overall objective of building a learning city in Beijing is to achieve sustainable and scientific development. The learning city will pursue the following objectives:
- building a lifelong learning structure;
- mobilizing educational resources;
- creating a learning atmosphere;
- establishing good conditions for learning; and
- attracting experts with an innovative and dynamic spirit.
Challenges and goals
By joining the GNLC, Beijing will harness the power of lifelong learning to achieve a soft landing for its fast-growing economy, using an innovative and sustainable approach. In addition, Beijing is seeking solutions for managing its huge population.
Plan and implementation
Constructing a modern lifelong learning system would be the foundation for Beijing to build a learning city. Inspired by the Key Features of Learning Cities, Beijing has identified nine major projects to further establish itself as learning city:
- establishing an urban area learning demonstration project;
- facilitating lifelong learning demonstration bases for citizens;
- establishing a digital network platform for lifelong learning;
- developing the Beijing Credit Bank project further;
- fostering a learning organization;
- enhancing innovation within the labour force;
- providing training for new, modern farmers;
- facilitating an education project for the ageing population; and
- establishing a community education guide service system.
With these nine pillars, Beijing aims to promote comprehensive development for its people, with a focus on the individual.
Beijing was also hosting city of the 1st International Conference on Learning Cities 2013, which has culminated in the adoption of the Beijing Declaration on Building Learning Cities and the Key Features of Learning Cities. The Conference laid the foundation for the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities and its outcome documents serve as the Guiding Documents for the Network and its members today.
Beijing’s learning city programme contributes to its efforts become an eco-friendly city with blue sky, clear water and abundant greenery; an exemplary megacity characterized by sustainable development.
Mr Jining Chen
UIL is not responsible for the content of this city profile.
