Exploring the Future of Global Vocational Education: China Craftsman Valley Was Invited to Attend EFUCA Conference of UNESCO in Europe

From March 20 to March 23, the annual conference of the EFUCA of UNESCO was successfully held in Greece. During the event, elections for the new President, Vice Presidents, and Secretary General were successfully concluded. The conference brought together senior officials and education experts from national federations in Germany, France, Spain, Romania, Belarus, Italy, Moldova, and Greece to engage in in-depth discussions on key topics such as education, culture, peace, and sustainable development. As a distinguished representative of China's vocational education sector, China Craftsman Valley was invited to participate and engage in extensive exchanges with delegates on the internationalization of vocational education and global expansion strategies.

EFUCA is an international non-governmental organization and the regional branch of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations (WFUCA). Its mission is to promote the values, goals, and programs of UNESCO. Through joint projects and initiatives, EFUCA coordinates and implements UNESCO programs across Europe in fields such as education and culture, intercultural dialogue, development and the environment, communication, tangible and intangible heritage, and science and technology.

China Craftsman Valley Delegation Had a Group Photo with EFUCA Leadership

During the opening ceremony, notable speeches were delivered by Bolat Akchulakov, President of WFUCA; Du Yue, Secretary General of WFUCA; Marietta Bance, President of the UNESCO Community Association; Juan Antonio Villa Casares, Founding Vice President of EFUCA (Spain); Daniela Popescu, President of EFUCA; Ioannis Maronitis, newly elected Secretary General of EFUCA; and Asel Utegenova, Coordinator of Peace Action (PAX) Associations and Clubs. All highlighted the pivotal role of education in promoting global peace and sustainable development and expressed a collective commitment to building a bridge of global unity to advance world harmony and progress.

Du Yue, Secretary General of WFUCA, Delivered Remarks

Sun Aiping, Executive Vice President of China POCY Group; Li Junsong, Chairman of Tangshan Maritime Institute; Zhang Shukun, Dean of the School of Business and Tourism; and Wang Lei, Assistant to the President of Caofeidian College of Technology, held in-depth discussions with international experts and delegates on cooperation in science and education projects. Topics included vocational education internationalization, student and faculty exchanges, and skills training. The delegation also shared China Craft Valley's innovative practices and achievements in vocational education.

Group Photo of the China Craftsman Valley Delegation and Senior Leaders of WFUCA

Sun Aiping, Executive Vice President of China POCY Group, stated that with accelerating globalization, vocational education has become a key avenue for nations to cultivate highly skilled talent. POCY Group has helped Chinese vocational education go global by launching the China Craftsman Valley innovation model. Initiatives include Craftsman Valley Teacher Excellence Programs, study tours, global expansion of vocational education, Sino-foreign joint education programs, and international cooperation efforts. These initiatives aim to promote diversified, innovative, and cross-sectoral development of China’s vocational education. Looking ahead, China POCY Group will lead with investment in vocational education, build corporate training centers and international education-industry integration bases, accelerate implementation of domestic and overseas vocational education cities, and actively promote the "go global" and "bring in" strategies. The Group will work hand-in-hand with international partners to foster educational and economic prosperity and contribute to balanced vocational education development in emerging markets and developing countries.

Sun Aiping,  with Newly Elected EFUCA President Ioannis Maronitis

On the evening of March 21, a vibrant traditional cultural event showcased the newly elected EFUCA Executive Committee. Delegates from various national UNESCO Commissions delivered speeches at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, enhancing the cultural and international cooperation dimensions of the event. Young Greek artists presented captivating performances featuring traditional instruments, songs, and dances. Over 100 international guests gathered in a warm and spirited atmosphere, engaging in rich cultural and artistic exchanges.

Guided by the UNESCO Education 2030 Framework for Action and President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, China Craftsman Valley will continue to leverage the resources of WFUCA and the Global Education Coalition. By learning from global education leaders and applying its own experience in industry-education integration, China Craftsman Valley will actively expand international cooperation in vocational education, explore diversified education-industry collaboration models, and strive to provide more inclusive and equitable education for youth worldwide, contributing meaningfully to the global development of vocational education.