The Third Education for the Countryside Conference -
Sparks of Hope: Rooted in the Soil, Growing Sustainable Futures

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Background

The world today is shaped by two contrasting realities. While cities continue to thrive through the increasing concentration of talent, capital, and opportunities, many rural communities face population decline, economic contraction, and social fragmentation, raising concerns about their long-term sustainability. Modern education systems have largely been oriented toward urban life and employment, promoting the notion of “learning to leave the countryside” and further deepening rural-urban inequalities.

Yet rural areas remain central to humanity’s future. Home to nearly half of the world’s population and a substantial share of the global workforce, rural communities sustain food systems, steward natural resources, preserve cultural heritage, and nurture diverse forms of local knowledge. Revitalizing rural communities and agriculture is therefore not only a matter of rural development, but also a pathway toward greater economic resilience, cultural continuity, and ecological sustainability. Rural sustainable development directly links to multiple UN 2030 Agenda targets: No Poverty (SDG 1), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Quality Education (SDG 4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13), Life on Land (SDG 15), and Life Below Water (SDG 14).

The pursuit of rural sustainability calls for a reorientation of the mission and content of education. UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for 2030 roadmap advocates empowering learners as change agents with knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to address global challenges. Rather than simply preparing young people for urban life and upward mobility, education must embrace a broader responsibility: connecting learning with rural development, agricultural innovation, and community sustainability. Schools should empower learners to understand, engage with, and contribute to rural communities, cultivating both the capacities and the commitment needed to build thriving futures.

Education is not only about shaping individuals. By shaping individuals, it also shapes the future of rural communities and, ultimately, the future of society as a whole.

The Education for the Countryside Conference

It is against the backdrop of growing rural-urban divides that the Education for the Countryside Conference was launched. Initiated by the Faculty of Education at The University of Hong Kong with the support of the Tin Ka Ping Foundation, the Conference seeks to reorient education beyond its urban focus, promote rural revitalization and sustainable development, and explore pathways to realizing UNESCO’s vision of “transforming our world through education.”

The Third Conference is jointly organized with the International Centre for UNESCO ASPnet (ICUA). ICUA coordinates UNESCO ASPnet, a network of over 10,000 schools across 170+ countries advancing peace, sustainable development, and international understanding through transformative education. ASPnet members contribute rich experience in ESD, intercultural and heritage learning, and community-based learning, offering diverse international perspectives and innovative cases.

The Conference will bring together educational scholars, ASPnet members, community leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and school practitioners to share and reflect on the philosophies and practices of “Education for the Countryside.” The Conference seeks to create a platform for showcasing innovative grassroots initiatives from around the world, making local experiences more visible and fostering dialogue across diverse contexts. In doing so, it aims to inspire new thinking and collective action towards transforming rural education in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Themes

The Conference focuses on the role of education in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular emphasis on:

• Rural Cultures, Heritage, and Innovation
• Sustainable Agriculture and Ecological Futures
• Community Vitality and Rural Development
• Global Perspectives and Local Practices

Who should Participate

The Conference features keynote speeches, thematic panels, principal dialogues, and roundtable discussions. We invite:

• Researchers in rural education and sustainable development
• Policymakers and educational administrators
• Rural school practitioners and UNESCO ASPnet members
• Community workers, cultural heritage practitioners, and NGO representatives
• Stakeholders interested in rural education and sustainable development

Invited Guests

	Gong Peng Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development), The University of Hong Kong; Foreign Member of Academia Europaea; Member of the International Eurasian Academy of Sciences
	David Day Secretary General, Tin Ka Ping Foundation
	Luiz Zarref Member of National Coordination of MST, Brazil; Latinoamerican Coordinator of International Association for Popular Cooperation
	Hu Jing Professor and Director, Institute of Rural Issues and Urbanization, South China Normal University
	Li Xueyin Deputy Director, Institute of Aesthetic Education, Southwest University; Academic Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Southwest University
	Mark Bray UNESCO Chair Professor in Comparative Education; Emeritus Professor, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong
	Vinayagum Chinapah Professor Emeritus, Stockholm University, Sweden

Principals of Invited Schools

Invited International Practice Presenters

	Katerina Vladimirou Academic Lecturer, Alexander College/University and CDA College/University
	Niki Georgiou Economics Teacher, Lykio Agiou Neophytou, Paphos, Cyprus
	Anargul Kozhonova Principal, Secondary School No. 40 “Kuldu”, Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan
	Baktygul Usmanova President, Demilge KG Foundation, Kyrgyzstan
	Vladislav Kruglov General Director, Center of European and Asian Languages (CEAL), Moscow, Russian Federation
	Anna Bondareva Head of the Development and Promotion Department, The Comprehensive School of the Center for Teacher Excellence

Conference Programme

Please click here .

Conference Live Streaming

The Third Education for the Countryside Conference will be live-streamed on Bilibili Channel (bilibili.com). We warmly welcome colleagues and participants who are unable to attend in person to join us online.

Live Streaming Schedule

• November 7, 2026 (Saturday): Full-day programme, 08:30 - 17:45
• November 8, 2026 (Sunday): Keynote Speech, 08:30 - 09:15

How to Watch

Scan the QR code below to reserve your place for the Bilibili live stream in advance. Once your reservation is confirmed, you will receive a notification via Bilibili when the live stream begins.

Registration

We warmly welcome all those interested in rural education and rural development to attend the Conference in person. Please register using the link below or by scanning the QR code.

We look forward to seeing you in Sanya, Hainan, this November!

Registration Link:
https://www.wjx.top/vm/Q7L7A0l.aspx#

Registration QR Code:

Information for Participants

Venue

South Building, Innovative Research and Education Valley (IREV), No.15 Zhenzhou Road, Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, Yazhou District, Sanya, Hainan, China

On-site Check-in

Registration Fee and Expenses

No registration fee. Participants cover their own travel and accommodation costs.

Conference Inquiries
Contact Persons

Yiqing Lin (Email: [javascript protected email address])
Peiyan Xia (Email: [javascript protected email address])

Click here to view all conferences in the "Education for the Countryside" Series.