27 August 2026, Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), through the CIFAL Global Network, participated in the 2026 Worldwide Educators Conference (WWEC), held from 20 to 22 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Shanghai, China. CIFAL Shanghai served as one of the key organizers of the 12th edition of the conference.
The conference brought together scholars, industry leaders, business leaders, academicians and scientific researchers to exchange perspectives on the future of education, sustainable development and cross-sector collaboration. Against this backdrop, UNITAR and representatives from CIFAL Centres contributed to international dialogue on the role of education in advancing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The conference was framed around the broader objective of implementing a talent strategy, strengthening China’s education system, and aligning educational development with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It also provided a platform for policy dialogue, industry exchange and education-industry-academia cooperation, bringing together stakeholders from across sectors to support the country’s educational development goals towards 2035.
UNITAR and CIFAL Global Network Participation
CIFAL
UNITAR's participation was led by Mr. Alex Mejía, Director of the Division for People and Social Development at UNITAR and Head of the CIFAL Global Network, and Ms. Adriana López Mendoza, Global Coordinator of the CIFAL Global Network at UNITAR. Their participation reflected UNITAR's continued engagement in international platforms that promote capacity development, knowledge exchange and partnerships in support of sustainable development.
The involvement of UNITAR and the CIFAL Global Network was further strengthened through the participation of representatives from CIFAL Centres across the Network: Jeju, Japan, Shanghai and the Philippines. Their presence reflected the geographic diversity of the CIFAL Global Network and its capacity to bring together experiences and perspectives from different regional and institutional contexts.
Beyond the conference sessions and meeting rooms, WWEC featured a wide range of exhibition stands showcasing organizations, initiatives and innovations across the education sector. Among them was a dedicated CIFAL Global Network stand, providing visibility for the Network and an opportunity to introduce its work to conference participants. The stand served as a space for engagement and exchange, allowing visitors to learn more about the CIFAL Global Network, its Centres and its role in advancing capacity development, international cooperation and sustainable development through education.
CIFAL Shanghai's role as one of the key organizers further strengthened the connection between the conference and the Network's broader mission of supporting capacity development and international cooperation. By contributing to a major education-focused platform in Shanghai, CIFAL Shanghai helped facilitate engagement between international organizations and a wide range of education stakeholders, creating opportunities to explore how global development priorities can be translated into educational practice and institutional cooperation.
A major platform for education and cross-industry exchange
Founded in 2013, the WWEC Worldwide Educators Conference is an annual platform bringing together education stakeholders from China and around the world. Over the years, the conference has developed into a major cross-industry forum connecting education with sectors including technology, business, culture, healthcare and science.
The 2026 edition featured keynote speeches, parallel sessions, workshops and exhibitions addressing themes such as artificial intelligence, international and cross-border education, higher and vocational education, science, health, sustainability and lifelong education. The conference provided opportunities for dialogue and collaboration among government, education, academia, business and other stakeholders on emerging trends and the future development of education.
CIFAL
CIFAL
CIFAL
Opening and parallel sessions: holistic education and sustainability
As part of the conference programme, Mr. Alex Mejía delivered a presentation during the opening ceremony entitled “Holistic Education in Sustainability for the Future,” highlighting the importance of approaching education through a comprehensive sustainability lens and strengthening the capacity of educational institutions and stakeholders to contribute to sustainable development.
Ms. Adriana López Mendoza, Global Coordinator of the CIFAL Global Network, also participated in a parallel session with a presentation entitled “United Nations Sustainable Development-Oriented Holistic Education.” Her contribution explored the importance of aligning holistic education with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.
Together, the presentations highlighted education as a driver of sustainable development, innovation, institutional transformation and international cooperation, while emphasizing the importance of strengthening the capacity of learners, institutions and communities to respond to interconnected social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
Connecting education with sustainable development
The participation of UNITAR and the CIFAL Global Network in WWEC 2026 reinforced the shared importance of education, capacity development and partnerships in advancing sustainable development.
As the international community continues efforts towards the 2030 Agenda, the conference highlighted the value of bringing together educational institutions, governments, businesses, academia and other stakeholders to develop knowledge, skills and partnerships capable of supporting sustainable and inclusive development.
For the CIFAL Global Network, engagement in platforms such as WWEC provides an opportunity to strengthen international dialogue, share experiences across different contexts and promote approaches that connect education and capacity development with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Recognizing the contributions of CIFAL representatives
The CIFAL Global Network recognizes the contributions of its representatives to WWEC 2026. Mr. Genxiang Wang, Chairperson of CIFAL Shanghai and co-host of this event, moderated a panel discussion on inclusion, equity and diversity, featuring Ms. Akiko Ito, Director of CIFAL Japan; Ambassador Sungchul Shin, Director of CIFAL Jeju; Ms. Sunhee Cho, Capacity Development Programme Officer at CIFAL Jeju; and Dr. Michelle Rubido Palumbarit, Director of CIFAL Philippines.