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Capacity Building Workshop for Community Learning Centres (CLCs) held in Suzhou Municipality
On 16-18 May 2025, the Seminar on Enhancing Artificial Intelligence Literacy and 2025 Promotion Meeting of Urban Community Learning Centres (CLC) Capacity Building Project took place in Suzhou, joint organized by UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, the China Adult Education Association (CAEA), Jiangsu Adult Education Association, Suzhou Lifelong Education Society, and Department of Vocational and Adult Education, Ministry of Education of China.
The three-day event brought together more than 150 officials, CLC coordinators from across China, education experts, and practitioners to explore innovative strategies to strengthen the capacity of Urban Community Learning Centres and promote AI literacy within communities. As key hubs for lifelong learning and skills development, these centres play a vital role in fostering inclusive education and community empowerment.
Mr. SHA Tao, the Deputy Director of Suzhou Municipal Education Bureau, officially opened the seminar, highlighting Suzhou’s rich history and notable economic achievements.
Dr. CHOI Mee Young, Programme Specialist for Education from the UNESCO Beijing Office, praised the project’s remarkable progress. She emphasized the integration of AI technology with community education as a leading example of China’s commitment to lifelong learning and sustainable development. Dr. Choi underscored the project’s success in promoting digital education, preserving traditional culture, and supporting vulnerable groups, while outlining future priorities such as advancing digital transformation, enhancing AI literacy, and building inclusive learning ecosystems to ensure no one is left behind.
Mr. GUO Zhijun, Researcher of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, reviewed key developments and outcomes of the CLC Capacity Building Project. He highlighted the critical importance of combining AI literacy with community education and expressed optimism that urban CLC pilot experiences would inform scalable models nationwide.
Mr. GAO Wenbing, President of the China Adult Education Association (CAEA), reflected on the significant achievements of the urban CLC project since its inception in 2019.
Academic experts also contributed valuable insights. Prof. BAO Huaying from Beijing Normal University provided an in-depth overview of the project’s background, strategy, achievements, and future directions, while Prof. QI Yong of Nanjing University of Science and Technology delivered a keynote on “AI-Driven High-Quality Development of Social Education,” reviewing the history of AI development and discussing innovative AI applications in social education.
Participants visited the Suzhou Intelligent Manufacturing Integrated Development Center to gain knowledge of the latest AI infrastructure advancements.
On the second day, Mr. ZHOU Yanjun, Deputy Leader of the Urban CLC National Expert Group, reviewed the progress of Phase II of the project, outlined upcoming tasks, and facilitated discussions among representatives from pilot sites. These sites shared successful practices and challenges, prompting expert recommendations to deepen research, focus project activities, and amplify core values of lifelong learning.
In closing remarks, Mr. LIN Jin'an highlighted the seminar’s importance as a platform for sharing expertise on AI literacy and community learning centre development, encouraging all stakeholders to continue driving forward the vision of building learning-oriented cities and a learning nation.
Launched in April 2019 and approved by the Secretariat of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO and the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, the Urban Community Learning Centres Capacity Building Project now spans 21 provinces and cities in China. It aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG4) and the UNESCO Education 2030 Framework for Action, reinforcing China’s commitment to inclusive and quality education for all.
