Indonesia demonstrates finest example in promoting lifelong learning: UNESCO

Badung, The Gulf Observer: Chair of the Governing Board UNESCO’s Institute for Lifelong Learning Daniel Baril stated that Indonesia had demonstrated the finest example in its endeavors to promote lifelong learning.

“It was a very good decision to choose Indonesia as the host for this conference, as the country has been showing the proper ways to promote inclusive learning for all,” Baril remarked during a press conference at the Inclusive Lifelong Learning Conference in Badung, Bali, on Monday.

In his speech, Baril drew attention to Indonesia’s Pre-Employment (Prakerja) Card Program that has been providing vast benefits to some 17 million people since its launch in 2020.

He said that the program was highly beneficial, as it has helped a plethora of people get jobs.

He then put emphasis on the need to realize the shared goal found in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, namely to provide indiscriminate access to education.

“This involves the right to learn for people of all ages. It should be noted that the educational journey does not end at schools or even higher education,” he pointed out.

In order to build the culture of lifelong learning, people should not stop at simply recognizing the right, but they also need to individually and collectively prepare themselves to face crucial transitions of this age, he emphasized.

Baril stressed that the world is currently experiencing various dynamics, including labor market volatility, climate change, demographic shifts, and the rapid development in technology, such as the use of artificial intelligence.

“These developments have made lifelong learning more important than ever before,” he noted.

At the conference, he also extended UNESCO’s appreciation to Indonesia for its cooperation in holding the event.