UNESCO Learning CityPhayao, Thailand
Phayao, located in Thailand, was inducted into UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities in 2022.
Phayao has an ageing population and an economy based mainly on cultural tourism and agriculture, where informal laborers outnumber formal laborers.
Phayao has an ageing population and an economy based mainly on cultural tourism and agriculture, where informal laborers outnumber formal laborers.
Akkhara PrompowChief Executive of the Provincial Administrative Organizations of Phayao City
"Phayao is a city in the Northern part of Thailand, near Chiang Mai. It is the city with knowledge about unearthed sandstone inscriptions, a 1000-year-old-center for education, and Phayao Lake as the central point and network for local wisdom and learning spaces for all."
Navigate, engage, and change
Phayao’s learning city strategy is based on three core themes: navigate, engage, and change.
The city has a learning city committee that, with community input, focuses on priority areas, such as the building of learning spaces using natural resources and local wisdom, the revitalization of community learning about Northern Thai food, and the sharing of local wisdom from older and disabled groups, who are regarded as sources of informal knowledge.
The city has a learning city committee that, with community input, focuses on priority areas, such as the building of learning spaces using natural resources and local wisdom, the revitalization of community learning about Northern Thai food, and the sharing of local wisdom from older and disabled groups, who are regarded as sources of informal knowledge.
Sustainability and health to eliminate poverty and hunger
Phayao aims to eliminate poverty and hunger and create healthier environments and sustainable communities by offering reskilling and upskilling courses in cooperation with the university, as well as local wisdom-based courses in which learners can attend to earn university credits.
Akkhara PrompowChief Executive of the Provincial Administrative Organizations of Phayao City
“We believe that equity and equality education matters for all. Our city has developed ‘Phayao Reskill and Upskill Courses’ as local wisdom-based learning, which learners can attend to earn Phayao University credits to ensure that no one is left behind and everyone gets the best education at the community level.”
Promoting equity and inclusion
The reskilling and upskilling and local wisdom-based courses are open to everyone and were developed after determining the needs of the community, especially informal laborers and the disabled, through interviews.
Akkhara PrompowChief Executive of the Provincial Administrative Organizations of Phayao City
"The courses are open to all genders and ages, both disabled and non-disabled.
The courses are arranged in local learning spaces, including the Science Park under the Phayao Provincial Administrative Organization and, sometimes, in the university, schools, temples, households, and the gardens around Phayao Lake.
The Phayao Provincial Administrative Organization, University of Phayao, Muangphayao Municipality, and community leaders gathered to arrange resources for all types of learners. Moreover, inclusive education is a gateway to more equal society and remove all barriers in life. "
The courses are arranged in local learning spaces, including the Science Park under the Phayao Provincial Administrative Organization and, sometimes, in the university, schools, temples, households, and the gardens around Phayao Lake.
The Phayao Provincial Administrative Organization, University of Phayao, Muangphayao Municipality, and community leaders gathered to arrange resources for all types of learners. Moreover, inclusive education is a gateway to more equal society and remove all barriers in life. "
Decent work and entrepreneurship
Phayao’s reskilling and upskilling courses on technology and the local community, creative activities, and social innovation provide fundamental knowledge about work, values, and entrepreneurship.
Family food bank
The city's family food bank project was developed for the disabled community and focuses on providing seeds to local people so that they can produce Northern Thai and organic food.
Akkhara PrompowChief Executive of the Provincial Administrative Organizations of Phayao City
“It is a great opportunity for Phayao to be a member of UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. I am looking forward to contribute and share knowledge, wisdom, city strategies to all.”
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) supports and improves the practice of lifelong learning in member cities by promoting policy dialogue and peer learning, documenting effective strategies and good practice, fostering partnerships, providing capacity development, and developing tools and instruments to design, implement and monitor learning cities strategies.
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Image Credits: © City of Phayao; Shutterstock / Phalakon; Shutterstock / Joe Jirang; Shutterstock / Aggapom Poomitud; Shutterstock / Bigc Studio; Shutterstock / Kao Klong; Shutterstock / dodotone; Shutterstock / wuttidanai
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Image Credits: © City of Phayao; Shutterstock / Phalakon; Shutterstock / Joe Jirang; Shutterstock / Aggapom Poomitud; Shutterstock / Bigc Studio; Shutterstock / Kao Klong; Shutterstock / dodotone; Shutterstock / wuttidanai
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Phayao, Thailand
Akkhara Prompow
Navigate, engage, and change
Sustainability and health to eliminate poverty and hunger
Akkhara Prompow
Promoting equity and inclusion
Akkhara Prompow
Decent work and entrepreneurship
Family food bank
Akkhara Prompow
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities