UNESCO Learning CitySukhothaiThailand
Sukhothai, located in the lower northern region of Thailand, was inducted into UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities in 2022.
A learning hub with a rich cultural heritage
Sukhothai boasts a rich cultural heritage. It is home to the Sukhothai script and the King Ram Khamhaeng Inscription, the latter being a UNESCO Memory of the World. As a centre for handicrafts, the city is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Crafts and Folk Art, which has promoted Sukhothai into a learning hub.
Ms Witiya PittungnapooCo-focal point for the City of Sukhothai
“We are so proud to be part of the Global Network of Learning Cities. It actually connects us with our previous mission, that of the Creative City of Sukhothai.
We have tried to share our Learning Centres, especially the Lifelong Learning Centre, to be [a place] for handicrafts and an art learning hub in the region, to be shared with our learning society.”
We have tried to share our Learning Centres, especially the Lifelong Learning Centre, to be [a place] for handicrafts and an art learning hub in the region, to be shared with our learning society.”
Lifelong learning as key to sustainability
Sukhothai sees lifelong learning as key to sustainability, with improved formal and informal education opportunities, decent work, cultural prosperity, and economic development driven by sustainable entrepreneurship practices in the creative arts. Sukhothai believes that, by joining the UNESCO GNLC and sharing practices with its members, it will achieve its lifelong learning goals. Its strategy is based on increasing public awareness and participation in lifelong learning and enhancing Sukhothai’s share of best practices in lifelong learning.
Sustainability and health in Sukhothai
Sustainability is promoted through initiatives integrating technology with traditional handicraft practices for a sustainable creative arts industry in line with the national strategy of Thailand, Thailand 4 .0. Moreover, the Sukhothai provincial public health office encourages healthy living by promoting traditional Thai medicine.
Promoting equity and inclusion
The Sukhothai ‘wisdom-learning’ curriculum provides crafts education to local artisans. In addition, community-based learning centres make education accessible to marginalized citizens such as those with disabilities or those in remote areas. The city also provides ICT facilities to learners across nine districts.
Sukhothai’s commitment to decent work and entrepreneurship
Projects are in place to help local craftspeople to integrate technology into their work by adapting to new business models; those most affected by economic recession during the COVID-19 pandemic were prioritised in these projects. In addition, students from poorer families are supported through vocational skills training to improve their economic prospects.
Sukhothai’s good practices Usa Sangkhalok
This local pottery programme makes pottery from sawdust mixed with clay. Given that unused sawdust is a source of air pollution and a health hazard, this initiative promotes a greener and healthier environment through a material innovation in the crafts industry.
Sukhothai’s good practices Kids' creative workshop
This event enables 250 students from urban and rural communities to participate in craft-making activities.
Sukhothai’s good practices The Sukhothai 'wisdom-learning' curriculum
This programme integrates crafts into the educational system (formal and informal) for all ages. It has supported lifelong learning efforts through leading educational institutes around Sukhothai.
Lifelong learning for all
As part of the Global Network of Learning Cities, the UNESCO learning city of Sukhothai will continue to work towards providing learning opportunities for young and old!
Hand in hand with other UNESCO learning cities across the globe it aims at making the promise of lifelong learning for all a reality.
Hand in hand with other UNESCO learning cities across the globe it aims at making the promise of lifelong learning for all a reality.
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: UNESCO; Pikoso.kz/Shutterstock.com; Brostock/Getty Images; Nach-Noth/Shutterstock.com; Freebird7977/Shutterstock.com; Thannaree Deepul/Shutterstock.com; Sutrisno Gallery/Shutterstock.com; Quality Stock Arts/Shutterstock.com; Operation Shooting/Shutterstock.com; all_about_people/Shutterstock.com
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Image Credits: UNESCO; Pikoso.kz/Shutterstock.com; Brostock/Getty Images; Nach-Noth/Shutterstock.com; Freebird7977/Shutterstock.com; Thannaree Deepul/Shutterstock.com; Sutrisno Gallery/Shutterstock.com; Quality Stock Arts/Shutterstock.com; Operation Shooting/Shutterstock.com; all_about_people/Shutterstock.com
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Sukhothai
A learning hub with a rich cultural heritage
Ms Witiya Pittungnapoo
Lifelong learning as key to sustainability
Sustainability and health in Sukhothai
Promoting equity and inclusion
Sukhothai’s commitment to decent work and entrepreneurship
Usa Sangkhalok
Kids' creative workshop
The Sukhothai 'wisdom-learning' curriculum
Lifelong learning for all
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities