Envisioning the Future of Global Vocational Education! China Craftsman Valley Invited to Attend EFUCA Conference

From March 20 to 23, the annual conference of the European Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centers, and Associations (EFUCA) was successfully held in Greece, during which the election of the new president, vice president, and secretary-general was completed. The conference invited key leaders and education experts from European UNESCO federations, including Germany, France, Spain, Romania, Belarus, Italy, Moldova, and Greece, to engage in in-depth discussions on critical topics such as education, culture, peace, and sustainable development. As an outstanding representative of Chinese vocational education, China Craftsman Valley was invited to participate and held extensive exchanges with delegates on themes such as the "internationalization of vocational education" and "vocational education going global."

The European Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centers, and Associations (EFUCA), an international non-governmental organization and a regional branch of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centers, and Associations (WFUCA), aims to promote UNESCO’s ideals, goals, and programs. Through joint projects, it coordinates WFUCA’s initiatives in Europe across education, culture, intercultural dialogue, development, environment, communication, natural and cultural heritage (tangible and intangible), and science and technology, while advancing their implementation.

At the opening ceremony, speeches were delivered by Bolat Akchulakov, President of WFUCA; Du Yue, Secretary-General of WFUCA; Marietta Bantcheva, President of UNESCO Community Associations; Juan Antonio Vela Casares, Founding Vice President of EFUCA (Spain); Daniela Popescu, President of EFUCA; Ioannis Maronitis, Secretary-General of EFUCA; and Aksel Utegenova, Coordinator of UNESCO Peace Action (PAX) Clubs and Associations. They emphasized education’s critical role in promoting global peace and sustainable development, expressing a shared commitment to building bridges for global solidarity and advancing world peace and development.

Sun Aiping, Executive Vice President of China POCY Group, Li Junsong, Chairman of Tangshan Maritime Institute, Zhang Shukun, Dean of the Business and Tourism College, and Wang Lei, Assistant to the President of Caofeidian College of Technology, joined experts and delegates to discuss science and education project cooperation. They explored topics such as international vocational education collaboration, teacher-student exchanges, and skills training, while sharing China Craftsman Valley’s innovative practices and achievements in vocational education.

Sun Aiping noted that as globalization accelerates, vocational education has become a vital pathway for countries to cultivate high-quality technical and skilled talent. POCY Group has supported Chinese vocational education in going global through the innovative China Craftsman Valley model, implementing initiatives such as China Craftsman Valley Excellent Teachers, study tours, vocational education exports, Sino-foreign cooperative education, and international partnerships. These efforts have achieved significant milestones in the globalized and diversified development of Chinese vocational education. Moving forward, Baoxin Group will lead with vocational education investments, establish enterprise training centers and international industry-education integration training bases, and accelerate the implementation of vocational education city projects domestically and abroad. This will support both the "going out" and "bringing in" of vocational education, collaborating with global partners to promote educational and economic prosperity and contribute Chinese expertise to the balanced development of vocational education in emerging markets and developing countries.

On the evening of March 21, a vibrant cultural event showcased traditional performances, with the new EFUCA Executive Committee making its debut. Representatives from UNESCO national committees delivered speeches at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, adding a rich cultural and cooperative atmosphere to the conference. Greek youth artists presented distinctive musical and dance performances, bringing together over 100 international guests to discuss cooperation and create a colorful tapestry of cultural and artistic exchange in a warm and lively setting.

Guided by UNESCO’s “Education 2030 Framework for Action” and President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, China Craftsman Valley will leverage the resources of WFUCA and the Global Education Alliance, drawing on the vocational education experiences of leading education nations and its own industry-education integration practices. It will continue to promote international vocational education cooperation, explore diverse industry-education integration models, and provide more inclusive and equitable education for young students, making a positive contribution to the global development of vocational education.