The Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam organises the "Vietnam Forum on Lifelong Learning: Building a Learning Society" on 6-8 December 2010 at Thang Loi Hotel in Hanoi, in partnership with UNESCO Hanoi and ASEM Education and Research Hub for Lifelong Learning (ASEM LLL Hub).

Having recognised the importance of LLL in enhancing education and knowledge for overall development of Vietnam and improving the well-being of its citizens, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) of Vietnam is developing a national LLL strategy under the umbrella of the Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2010 - 2020 and the Education Development Strategy 2010 - 2020. These concerted efforts of the Vietnamese government are part of its vision to build a learning society.

The recent Asia-Europe Meeting of Ministers for Education (ASEM ME2) in Hanoi, May 2009 acknowledged that lifelong learning provides a solid framework for sustainable human resource development, which generates economic growth, social welfare and enables individuals to pursue stimulating learning opportunities at all stages of their lives. Therefore, it deserves specific attention for intensified cooperation among the ASEM countries.

In response to the ASEM ME2 Chair's Conclusion and invitation from the Vietnamese government, ASEM LLL Hub in cooperation with  MOET organised the ASEM Conference on "Increasing Opportunities and Removing Obstacles for Lifelong Learning"  in Nha Trang, October 2009. While acknowledging the pre-eminence of the economic aim of lifelong learning, the conference also highlighted well-being and happiness of individuals, adopted humanistic aims of life­long learning and postulated five pillars of learning - to know, to do, to be, to live together and to care for the planet.

UNESCO's mission in lifelong learning is to see to that all forms of education and learning- formal, non-formal and informal- are recognized, valued and available for meeting the demands of individuals and communities throughout the world. As the lead agency, UNESCO is mobilizing and harmonizing international efforts to reach six key education goals, which focus on early childhood care, primary education, learning and life-skills programmes for youth and adults, adult literacy, gender equality in education, and the quality of education.

The Ministry of Education and Training hosts this "Vietnam Forum on Lifelong Learning: Building a Learning Society" and brings together over 200 key policy makers and leading educationalists throughout the country as well as some 100 ASEM LLL Hub researchers and university leaders, and UNESCO experts in order to share research results, exchange perspectives and experiences in the field of LLL.

The main objectives of the Forum are:

• To enhance understanding of the concept and the role of 'lifelong learning' in the process of building a 'learning society', which will support Vietnam  in  developing a national LLL strategy;
• To share with the Vietnamese ministries, educational specialists, social partners and representatives from industry the latest research findings, ideas and developments in legislative, financial and organisational frameworks for supporting lifelong learning in different ASEM countries;
• To share global perspectives, good practices in developing and implementing lifelong learning strategies in different countries;
• To stimulate academic cooperation in LLL research between ASEM universities, hence enhance research capacity and broaden perspectives for ASEM researchers in the field;
• To strengthen linkages between researchers and policy makers in order to develop future research-based policies and enhance the implementation of lifelong learning initiatives; 
• To form a joint UNESCO- ASEM initiative in promoting lifelong learning.

Practical Information  

Press Release in English

Press Release in Vietnamese