Editor’s Note:

September 10 and October 5 are celebrated as Teachers' Day in China and International Teachers' Day worldwide. These two occasions are not only tributes to the dedication of educators, but also reminders to reflect on the profound importance of education in urban development and social progress.

Education is more than the transmission of knowledge—it illuminates individuals, strengthens communities, and drives social advancement. In today’s world of rapid technological change, deepening urbanization, and growing commitments to sustainability and inclusivity, the scope of education is expanding. It now extends far beyond the classroom, shaping urban governance, community building, intergenerational collaboration, and climate action. Educational innovation has thus become a core driver of equity, resilience, and lifelong learning, inseparably tied to the future of cities.

Jakarta, Indonesia

Reclaiming Spaces for Children in Public Transportation Through Navi_Station Initiatives

(2023 Guangzhou Award Shortlisted Initiative)

In Indonesia, new public transport systems such as metro and light rail are developing rapidly, so it is crucial to prepare the next generation for safe and ethical use of rail-based public transportation. This requires the development of a new tool to help improve children's knowledge and awareness of safety norms.

This initiative in Jakarta aims to prepare the next generation to make safe use of rail-based public transportation. It has created a toolkit for children aged between 5 and 7 years that focuses on train station literacy. The toolkit uses toys like bricks, activity books, playmats and papercraft using rail transport logos and mascots. The content and approach of the toolkit are validated by pre-school teachers and comprehensive evaluation was conducted through pre-tests, post-tests and edu-visits (observation). 

There is a pentahelix multi-stakeholder engagement between the Bandung Institute of Technology, the Jakarta Transportation Authority, rail operators, SMEs, and School/Community. The Ministry of Education is also involved in the adoption of the initiative.  The initiative is a good example of promoting universal accessibility to public facilities, including transportation, by empowering children to navigate train stations.

Read more：guangzhouaward.org/a/3363.html

Ramallah, State of Palestine

Forum Of Expertise - Active Aging for a vibrant future - Empowering Seniors to Thrive Through Voluntarism, Lifelong Learning, Wellbeing, and Community Led Initiatives

(2023 Guangzhou Award Shortlisted Initiative)

Facing global aging challenges such as social isolation and knowledge gaps, Ramallah’s "Forum of Expertise" has created an innovative elderly-led education model. This initiative treats older adults as key community knowledge assets, transforming them from recipients into enablers through structured programs that redefine intergenerational learning and community education.

The forum’s innovation focuses on three areas: a decentralized approach allowing seniors to organize and lead activities like book clubs and workshops; digital inclusion efforts where young volunteers tutor elders in technology, maintaining engagement through online events especially during the pandemic; and intergenerational learning that lets youth gain traditional knowledge while seniors share skills and life stories—resulting in a published collection of 25 members’ narratives.

This case shows how community-driven informal education can enhance knowledge sharing and intergenerational bonds, offering a sustainable and replicable model for aging societies.

Read more：guangzhouaward.org/a/3368.html

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Growing up Healthy in Rotterdam Beverwaard—A Multiannual Action-research to Improve the Lifestyle of Children and Their Families

(2023 Guangzhou Award Deserving Initiative)

In response to the growing impact of socio-economic inequality on children's health and development, the City of Rotterdam launched a project titled "A Multiannual Action-research to Improve the Lifestyle of Children and Their Families." The city found that traditional single-focus health intervention models were inadequate to address complex social factors, leading to a shift towards cross-sector collaborative education and support strategies.

The three-year project employed action research methods to closely track 60 families, combining quantitative and qualitative data to analyze the root causes of the issues. A family coach was introduced to coordinate resources among families, schools, and healthcare institutions. Schools developed a curriculum centered on positive health to strengthen children’s resilience and self-awareness through artistic activities, guiding them to explore their potential.

The project achieved remarkable results: more participating children opted for higher-level secondary education, demonstrating increased self-confidence and academic motivation. Programs like resilience training and talent development have been integrated into the long-term curriculum of the Regenboog School. Furthermore, the insights gained from the project have been incorporated into local policies, promoting innovative integration of systematic education and social health services.

This practice demonstrates that an intervention model centered on education and multi-sector collaboration can more effectively support the holistic development of children, particularly in communities with limited socio-economic conditions, where it has strong potential for wider application.

Read more：guangzhouaward.org/a/3411.html

Vienna, Austria

Werkstadt Junges Wien

(2020 Guangzhou Award Winning Initiative)

Against the backdrop of Vienna’s gradual transformation into a “young city,” Werkstadt Junges Wien integrates democracy education into urban governance, serving as an innovative model for child-friendly cities. It engages residents aged 4–19 in decision-making through structured participatory mechanisms, empowering them to shape policies directly.

Educational institutions co-designed workshops, with over 1,000 educators and volunteers facilitating 1,309 sessions. These reached more than 22,000 young participants, whose input was synthesized into nine thematic areas and 193 measures within the legally adopted Children and Youth Strategy for Vienna.

Beyond large-scale civic education, the initiative strengthens democratic engagement among youth. Transparent monitoring and a youth parliament ensure accountability. Vienna has thus created a real-world classroom for democracy, offering an inspiring example of educational and institutional innovation.

Read more：guangzhouaward.org/a/1330.html

Gdynia, Poland

The Learning City at Home, Municipal Units in Contact with Gdynia’s Citizens

(2020 Guangzhou Award Deserving Initiative)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the city of Gdynia, Poland, launched a comprehensive online public service program that successfully connected with over 24,000 residents, effectively addressing the disruption of educational and cultural activities due to restricted in-person interactions. The initiative brought together municipal institutions, non-governmental organizations, and experts to deliver a wide range of online activities—including psychology lectures, parent-child reading sessions, fitness classes, and legal consultations—through live and recorded formats. These services covered culture, education, art, social sciences, and more, with particular emphasis on meeting the learning and support needs of residents across all age groups.

In designing the project, the city government actively gathered feedback from residents, especially older adults, and used it to optimize the content and scheduling of activities. Examples included online fairy-tale storytelling for children and psychological counseling for parents. Most content was produced with volunteer support and backed by municipal funding. Beyond transitioning services offline to online, the project turned the internet into a vital tool for lifelong learning and mental well-being, offering ongoing educational opportunities and emotional support for children, youth, parents, and the elderly. It significantly strengthened trust between the public and institutions.

This practice aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including “Quality Education,” “Good Health and Well-being,” and “Sustainable Cities and Communities,” demonstrating the potential of municipal services to innovate in educational support and social inclusion.

Read more：guangzhouaward.org/a/1437.html