Delegation from SMILE Visits the UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (INRULED) for Research and Exchange

On the afternoon of June 16, a delegation fromShanghai Municipal Institute for Lifelong Education (SMILE) visited the UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education(INRULED) for research and exchange. Members of the delegation included Li Jiacheng, Vice Executive President; Zou Wen, Director of Administration; Zhu Min, Associate Professor at the Institute of Vocational and Adult Education, East China Normal University (ECNU) and Principal Researcher of SMILE’s ESD Project; and Zhu Weiwei, Research Assistant. They held talks with Zhao Yuchi, Executive Director of INRULED, and Wu Yunfei, Program Coordinator of the Skills Development for Rural Transformation Project.

During the seminar, Zhao Yuchi, Executive Director of INRULED, systematically introduced the history of the Centre, and highlighted the achievements and future plans of the “Research on Education for Sustainable Rural Development” project. Director Zhao expressed appreciation for SMILE’s previous support to INRULED’s rural education projects, and sincerely proposed establishing an in-depth cooperative partnership, exploring collaborative pathways through resource sharing and cooperation on projects.

President Li Jiachengexpressed gratitude for the warm reception extended by INRULED. He shared SMILE’s research advancements in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), and looked forward to further collaboration with INRULED in sharing practical cases in rural education, conductingjoint research activities, co-organizing academic conferences, etc. Associate Professor Zhu Min gave a brief introduction of her research on ecological civilization education studies, Shanghai’s new rural development initiativesand the development of learning-oriented villages in Shanghai. Director Zou Wen conveyed anticipation for strengthened engagementwith INRULED througth the “Student Global Competence Project”.

This research exchange built upon both institutions' existing scholarship and crystallized future collaboration pathways through multidimensional dialogue.The parties committed to deepening cooperation in lifelong education—particularly in rural education initiatives—while jointly advancing international educational exchanges. They will systematically share China's practical experiences and case studies globally, thereby contributing Chinese perspectives to advance Education for Sustainable Development worldwide.

The same morning, the delegation attended the“China-Southeast Asia Capacity Building Workshop (ASEAN-China TVET Policymakers Workshop): Transforming Learning for Sustainable Rural Development”co-hosted by INRULED and multiple partner institutions. Associate Professor Zhu Min delivered a keynote address at the symposium, presenting Shanghai's explorations in green education. Her report highlighted three key initiatives: developing ecological curricula, teaching industrial transformation, and advancing climate change education—all implemented through community-higher education institution partnerships to establish a multi-age, cross-disciplinary green learning ecosystem.

Written by Zhu Weiwei

Edited by Xie Qiuxue, Zhu Weiwei

Reviewed by Zou Wen, Li Jiacheng