Hello, changemakers! 🌍✨ UNESCO and the Chinese mainland have just taken their partnership to the next level, driving sustainable development and cutting-edge education across the globe. Here’s the lowdown:
1. A new STEM hub in Shanghai 🧑💻🔬
On September 21, 2025, UNESCO officially opened the International Institute for STEM Education in Shanghai— the first UNESCO Category 1 Centre outside Europe and North America! This hub brings together Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics experts to explore fresh teaching methods, test innovative tools, and champion sustainable development. Think of it as the ultimate playground for future tech leaders and digital pioneers from Asia and beyond.
2. Digital skills for all 📱💡
Bridging the urban-rural gap is key! UNESCO is helping integrate 21st-century skills into national curricula, making sure quality education isn't just for big cities. From coding workshops in remote villages to online resources for teachers, the goal is simple: equip every student with the tools they need to thrive in our digital age.
3. Empowering girls and women 🎓👩💻
Education is power, and UNESCO's Prize for Girls' and Women's Education (backed by the government of the People's Republic of China) celebrates game-changing projects that uplift girls and women. Each year, two laureates receive $50,000 to scale their impact. At the 2025 ceremony in Beijing, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and Professor Peng Liyuan (UNESCO Special Envoy for the Advancement of Girls' and Women's Education) cheered on this decade-long initiative.
4. Spring Bud Project 🌸
Meet one of the 2023 laureates: the Spring Bud Project from the Chinese mainland. Since 1989, it's reached over four million vulnerable girls, offering scholarships, promoting STEM and digital skills, and boosting health education. Talk about a legacy! 🎉
What's next? This partnership is more than policy talks— it's real change on the ground. Whether you're coding your first app, brainstorming solutions for climate action, or championing gender equality, take inspiration from these initiatives. Together, we're building a shared future for humanity— one where everyone has a shot at success!
Stay curious, stay inspired. 💪🔥
Reference(s):
UN 80: On UNESCO-China shared vision for sustainable development
cgtn.com
