OPPO is Set to Partner with UNESCO to Empower Youth Innovation and Cultural Preservation through Imaging Technology on Its 20th Anniversary

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To mark its 20th anniversary, OPPO is set to forge a partnership with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with the goal of empowering cultural education and diversity through technology. Using imaging technology, this initiative aims to preserve and transmit cultural heritage, enabling youth to explore the world and connect with diverse cultures, truly embodying the spirit of "Connecting Cultures, Inspiring Futures."

Empowering Cultural Education through Imagining Technology and A Call for “Culture Donation”

As part of this collaboration, OPPO will donate 1000 OPPO tablets to support the development of local youth education in Africa and Asia. These devices will feature cultural programming courses developed under the ‘Youth Coding Initiative’, jointly launched by UNESCO and CODEMAO, children's programming education brand. The initiative aims to promote the inclusive and safe use of technology, advance equitable education in Africa and Asia, and help preserve local cultural heritage through digital learning.

Firmin E. Matoko, the Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations, stated, “OPPO’s dedication to advancing youth innovation and education is highly appreciated. I am sure that the students and teachers from Africa and Asia will better benefit from the new partnership with OPPO following UNESCO vision and requirements.” The partnership will be launched officially after completing the relevant UNESCO procedural reviews. OPPO's initiative has received strong support from the National Commission of the People's Republic of China for UNESCO.

In addition to the donations, OPPO is launching a global campaign #CaptureMyCulture, encouraging users worldwide to contribute to cultural preservation by sharing photos and stories that celebrate their local traditions. Participants in this campaign will have the chance to witness the donation ceremony.

OPPO’s Continued Commitment to Cultural Preservation

OPPO's commitment to cultural education extends beyond its partnership with UNESCO. Earlier this year, OPPO joined forces with Discovery Channel to launch the “Culture in a Shot” project, a global initiative aimed at spotlighting and protecting cultural diversity through imaging technology. The project captures the efforts of dedicated individuals: Thailand’s Lisu group preserving their heritage through music; Indonesia’s artisans practicing the ancient craft of batik with a visual representation of local traditions; and Spain’s flamenco dancers embodying Andalusian culture through their art form. Every single group tells the unique cultural story through the distinct art form.

Besides, OPPO launches AI Studio in the Reno12 series, allowing users to generate a studio-quality portrait, such as transforming into a flamenco dancer, offering an immersive cultural experience from anywhere in the world.

OPPO continues to push the boundaries of technological innovation, using its expertise in AI and imaging to enhance cultural preservation and education. By providing tools for creative expression and storytelling, OPPO is helping to connect cultural and inspire the next generation.

As OPPO celebrates its 20th anniversary, the company remains dedicated to its mission of “Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World”, Moving forward, OPPO will continue to harness technology to contribute towards positive impact on society. OPPO remains dedicated to promoting cultural preservation and youth education, contributing to the inheritance and development of global culture.

The OPPO 20th anniversary #CaptureMyCulture campaign is open for submissions until September 25, 2024. Click here to share your cultural photos and stories, connecting cultures, inspiring futures!

UNIQLO Launches Final “Doraemon Sustainability Mode” Products for JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING Campaign

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Global apparel retailer UNIQLO announces the launch of the 2023 Fall/Winter collection for JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING, a campaign supporting UNESCO activities to reduce marine debris. The new items, the final in the series featuring popular cartoon character Doraemon, will be available at UNIQLO stores throughout Japan and the uniqlo.com online store from Friday, October 6.

Plush toy and fleece items available from October 6, supporting UNESCO initiatives for clean oceans

JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING is a customer-participation project that connects the “power of clothing” with actions for a more sustainable world. Items for the 2023 Fall/Winter collection are the Doraemon Sustainability Mode Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket, and the Doraemon Sustainability Mode Toy, both made of 100% recycled polyester fabric. The Full-Zip Jacket features a small Doraemon Sustainability Mode motif on the chest, and the Toy is UNIQLO’s first plush toy made from fluffy yarn fleece material. This will be the final Doraemon Sustainability Mode collection.

For every purchase of products eligible for the campaign, which include Doraemon Sustainability Mode items and other fleece items made from recycled polyester, Fast Retailing will donate US$1 to UNESCO to support its international initiative to reduce ocean garbage, which includes educational programs to raise awareness of marine debris issues.*

* The maximum donation amount is US$1.5 million (approx. ¥200 million). Donations will be made by UNIQLO parent company Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.

Doraemon Sustainability Mode Products

Launch Date: October 6, 2023 (Friday)

Items: Doraemon Sustainability Mode Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket 1 Design Php 1,490

Doraemon Sustainability Mode KIDS Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket 1 Design Php 990

Doraemon Sustainability Mode Toy 1 Design Php 990

Website: https://www.uniqlo.com/jp/en/contents/sustainability/jointpoc/

See the special website for other JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING products eligible for donations.

Doraemon Sustainability Mode

Toy

Doraemon Sustainability Mode

KIDS Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket

Doraemon Sustainability Mode

Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket

ⒸFujiko-Pro

Special website to learn about ocean garbage

The JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING special website contains content to learn about ocean garbage. Continuing from the previous season, the site features interviews with experts, videos about marine debris issues, and advice for reducing plastic waste in our everyday lives. The site also includes reports on how donations made through the JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING project since 2022 (approximately US$ 3 million) have so far been utilized.

About Doraemon Sustainability Mode

Beloved for more than 50 years, the cat-type robot Doraemon is a worldwide popular manga and anime character from the 22nd century. Always kind and ready to help, Doraemon pulls all sorts of secret gadgets out of his fourth-dimensional pocket to solve problems throughout his many adventures. In Sustainability Mode, Doraemon joined UNIQLO as a global sustainability ambassador, to show us how sustainable steps can be our secret gadgets to help transform the world into a better place for all.

UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication, and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other's lives. UNESCO's programs contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

https://www.unesco.org/en

YTC launches summer K-12 bridging programs

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The world is undergoing unprecedented changes brought about by rapid advancement in information and communication technologies, trade liberalization, globalization. – UNESCO, 2010

Change is inevitable and adapting to change is another thing. In its pursuit to improve the Philippine education system, the Department of Education (DepEd) has implemented a major education reform known as the K-12 Curriculum.

The education program includes mandatory preschool education for five-year old children before entering the 6-year elementary school as well as going through additional 2 years in the high school or secondary education. Aside from this new structure, the medium of instruction from kindergarten to Grade 3 will now be mother tongue-based. This means that the K to 12 student will be taught the core learning areas using his first language. The National Achievement Test (popularly known as NAT) will still be administered as an end-of-grade 6 assessment but this time will serve both as an exit examination from elementary and entrance examination for Grade 7. Grade 10 students will also go through an assessment to qualify for senior high school and their chosen track. The end of Grade 12 examination will not only be the end of K to 12 exam but also serve as entrance exam for university.

These significant changes, initially, may be difficult for kids. As parents, there are a number of things to help your child or teen to prepare and embrace this transition. Parents can help their child to mentally organize and emotionally process the child's feelings such as fear of the unknown. By being a support system to your teens, you could help them cope with "anticipatory change jitters." Aside from these tips, there are private educational sectors who can also help you and you kids adapt to the new K to 12 curriculum.

“This is not a perfect curriculum. There is much for us to work on. There will be learning curves that we will need to meet and challenges to be resolved. But with everyone’s help, we will be able to roll out the program that we can keep improving over the next couple of years.” 

--- Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC Deped Secretary

Your Tutorial Center (YTC) is a 3-in-1 education center which offers Tutorial, Review and Language programs. YTC primarily provides ACADEMIC TUTORIAL programs from preschool to college all throughout the year.

This summer, YTC will be offering bridging programs focusing on developing and strengthening the coping skills of kindergarten until grade 10 students – in order to smoothly transition from the old to the new curriculum.

Aside from the basic literacy tools of reading, writing and numeracy, tomorrow’s individuals will need them knowledge and skills that will equip them to participate productively in their societies. 

--– ADB 2008

YTC is one with the K-12 curriculum to produce Filipino graduates who are holistically-developed with 21st century skills through its program and services geared to prepare kids and teen for higher education, middle-level skills development and entrepreneurship.

Your Tutorial Center, a Tutorial, Review and Language Center primarily provide ACADEMIC TUTORIAL programs from preschool to college all throughout the year.

Review Programs for UP, DLSU, Ateneo and UST; Math, Reading, Language Enrichment and Advanced Programs are offered during summer in preparation for the next higher Grade School or High School academic level.

As an accredited English Language Center, Your Tutorial Center also offers English Enhancement and ESL (English as a Second Language) Programs for both Filipino and foreign learners.
Check www.yourtutorialcenter.com or call (number) for more information on Summer K-12 Bridging Programs.

YTC INTERNATIONAL EDULINKS, INC. is located at the :

3rd Flr. Red Maples Bldg., #411 N.S. Amoranto Sr. Ave., (formerly Retiro St.), 

Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City

Tel #: (02) 806-2027 | (0932) 8-666-982 | (0917) 626-7908

Email: info@yourtutorialcenter.com

DepEd, UNESCO unveil latest EFA Global Monitoring Report

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The Department of Education (DepEd) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) presented the results of the 2013-2014 Education for All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report Tuesday.

“We are talking about education not just as Filipinos but as global citizens as well,” Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said, adding that education for all shouldn’t be an issue of competition. Luistro also highlighted DepEd’s goal that “no Filipino youth shall be left behind in basic education.”

Ed dela Torre, co-chair of EFA committee, said that while milestones were important in education, it was also crucial to “sustain the momentum” in reaching the EFA goals.

Based on the global monitoring report, DepED has strengthened the universal coverage of out-of-school youth (OSY) through Alternative Learning System (ALS) and Abot-Alam Program.

“Adopt-a-school program was able to generate 6B pesos in private contributions in 2012 alone and five billion in 2013,” DepEd Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo said.

While the Philippines has challenges in terms of male participation compared to female participation, there has been an increase in the former’s participation rate in the recent years due to technical educational pathways.

Mateo explained that since the legislation of the Kindergarten Act in 2011, there has been an “increase of 97% in participation rate of Grades 1 to 3.” He added that universalizing kindergarten education as part of basic education prepared the learners for formal education.

As of 2011, the Department was at 72.1% for elementary education and 75.1% for secondary education in terms of completion of the full basic education cycle with satisfactory annual achievement levels. The EFA target on education quality is at 75% mastery – as of 2011, the total elementary National Achievement Test mean percentile score (NAT MPS) was 68.2% and 47.9% for secondary.

Mateo said that the Department is looking forward to the “2016 horizon” where it would expand GASTPE, develop IT systems, and continuously address the special needs of learners with programs such as Special Education (SPED), Indigenous Peoples education (IPed), and address OSY.

“The Department is looking forward to alternative delivery modes (ADM), learning resource portals, and learner reference number to continually be developed,” Mateo added.

Dr. Mee Young Choi of UNESCO Jakarta office said that “human resources were as essential part of national growth” coupled with infrastructure and strong partnership with civiil society.

“Teachers are a key driving force for making sure human resources are developed through education as was the case in Korea,” Choi said. The recent report stated that “an education system is only as good as its teachers.”

To address the teacher needs, DepEd has created more than 61,000 teacher items in 2013, and has opened more than 30,000 items to be filled this year. The Department has also provided continuous K to 12 trainings for teachers and school administrators.

International and Filipino Artists Create Exhibition to Support Typhoon Haiyan Relief Efforts

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A consortium of international and Filipino artists will open the “Haiyan International Fundraising Art Exhibition 2014” which features art works from over 40 international artists and 17 Filipino artists, showcases the support from the art community from around the world for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. This exhibition will be on April 6, 2014.

“Haiyan International Fundraising Art Exhibition 2014” was conceptualized by Singapore National Artist Goh Beng Kwan and Filipino artist Florence Cincowhen they and other artists from the ASEAN region convened to celebrate the 86thBirthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in Thailand. Alongside Mr. Goh Beng Kwan and Mr. Cinco, the consortium of artists participating in the exhibition includes Mr. Ilseon Ryu (Korea), President and Art Director of Ecorea Biennale Committee and President of the Asia-Pacific Institute of Art & Research; Ms. Grete Marstein (Norway), President of the Norwegian Artists Copyright Association and International Vice President of the International Association of Art (UNESCO); Mr. Trinh Tuan (Vietnam); Mr. Daniel Houle Jayd (Canada), and Mr. Wattanachot Tungateja (Thailand).The exhibition is organized and curated by Mr. Florence Cinco, Mr. Red Mansueto, and Ms. Aimee Villas Adalla.

Each of the artists participating in the “Haiyan International Fundraising Art Exhibition 2014” has contributed an artwork in support of the ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts in the Visayas region.All proceeds from the art works sold during the exhibition will go to MyShelter Foundation, whose Liter of Light program provides low-cost, simple solar lighting to disaster-stricken areas, creating local jobs, teaching green skills, and empowering local communities.

Since Haiyan struck, thousands of people have lived without electricity. As a result, women feel unsafe, children cannot study at night, and households remain dependent on expensive or unreliable forms of lighting (i.e., kerosene, candles) to survive. In the most devastated communities, these alternative energy sources have already run out. MyShelter Foundation was the first organization to respond to the immediate need for lighting in Palo, Leyte, providing the cheapest form of lighting through its Liter of (Night) Lights and street lamps, which were assembled and installed in the community within 40 days of the disaster.

MyShelter Foundation-installed street lamps line the streets of Palo, Leyte, where local residents gathered to commemorate the 40^th day anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan.

Liter of Light’s efforts to aid the Typhoon Haiyan victims focus on assembling and installing night lights and street lamps for 228 bunkhouses in Leyte and Samar, the areas most affected by Typhoon Haiyan. At a cost of just US $9 per beneficiary, MyShelter Foundation’s Liters of Light will bring light and hope to over 27,000 people displaced and affected by the storm.

“Haiyan International Fundraising Art Exhibition 2014” runs from April 6-26, 2014 at Galleria Duemila. For more information, please call Tel. No. +63 2 831 9990; Telefax No. +63 2 833 9815 and look for Thess Ponce or Mark Arvin Patiag. You can also email us at gduemila@gmail.com or check out www.galleriaduemila.comfor more details and event happenings.

For more information on “Haiyan International Fundraising Art Exhibition 2014”, visit https://www.facebook.com/HaiyanInternationalArtFundraisingExhibition2014?ref=hl.

For more information on the Liter of Light and MyShelter Foundation, 

visitwww.aliteroflight.org or e-mail info@aliteroflight.org.

You may also contact Ami Valdemoro (for Liter of Light), ami@1LiterOfLight.org

Call for Entries: UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation

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Entries are now being accepted for the 2014 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The Awards highlights the achievements of private or public-private initiatives for the restoration and conservation of heritage building properties in the Asia-Pacific Region. Since its establishment in 2000, the Awards have received over 500 entries from the region.

Outstanding restoration works shall be given the following recognitions: Award of Excellence, Award of Distinction, Award of Merit, and Honorable Mention. On the other hand, the “Jury Commendation for Innovation” award shall recognize newly-built structures which demonstrate outstanding architectural design that have been well-integrated into historic contexts. The awardees would have conclusively demonstrated excellence in the Understanding of the Place, and Social and Policy Impact.

Last year’s awardees include the Great Serái in Kabul, Afghanistan and the Tai O Heritage Hotel in Hong Kong, China. In the Philippines, the Nielson Tower and art deco buildings of the Far Eastern University have both been given the Honorable Mention Awards in 2001 and 2005, respectively.

Interested parties may nominate their projects by submitting the following requirements before 30 April 2014:

1) Official entry form

2) Project Description, using the official format

3) Occupant’s Comments

4) Owner Consent Form

5) Rights Authorization Form

6) Drawings (A4 Format) and 7) CD-ROM of the aforementioned documents.

You may download the official forms, brochures and guidelines at www.unescobkk.org/culture/heritageawards.

Nominations may be sent to UNESCO Bangkok through postal mail or courier to: Culture Unit, UNESCO Bangkok, 920 Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110, Thailand, with a copy furnished to the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines via email at secretariat@unesco.gov.ph

For more information, interested parties may contact the Culture Unit of UNESCO Bangkok through email:culture.bgk@unesco.org or telephone: (66 2) 391-0577 ext. 509