The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially inaugurated its International Institute for STEM Education in Shanghai on Sunday, establishing it as the first Category 1 center established by the agency in the Asia-Pacific region.
The institute, which focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), is the 10th Category 1 center globally under UNESCO's framework.
Its main functions include promoting STEM education across all stages from early childhood to adulthood, with a focus on providing inclusive, equitable, relevant and high-quality STEM education for all.
"This is a Category One institute of UNESCO. That means that it has full autonomy, but it's very much a global scope. So we do think that at the time where STEM is the ground for any other important step from AI to quantum technology, to having here this new center, can really meet the demand, the global demand," said Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education.
"Shanghai is an incredibly important international hub for science, technology, universities, higher education, education system and innovation. There is an ecosystem for innovation. So we see it, as UNESCO, as an ideal place to establish an institute which is supposed to become a global hub for improving the quality of education, training, learning and also research in the STEM field," she said.
The center aims to leverage China's practices in STEM and interdisciplinary education to promote the joint development and sharing of global high-quality STEM education resources through international joint research, policy dialogue and training.
"As an institute, it can gather information from around the world, making it easier for us to access the latest global developments and explorations in STEM education. It also provides a platform for China to share its practices, experiences, philosophies, and new models with the international community," said Qin Changwei, Secretary General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO.
China's first UNESCO Category 1 Center established in Shanghai
Large numbers of Japanese citizens gathered in a public rally held in Tokyo Friday evening to protest Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's attempt to revise the country's pacifist Constitution.
Nearly 1,000 people attended the demonstration in front of the prime minister's official residence, holding placards reading "Oppose war, defend the Constitution," and "No war, no Takaichi."
In the rally, protesters chanted slogans such as "No constitutional revision" and "Protect peace," voicing strong dissatisfaction with the government's direction.
"I think the idea of promoting military expansion and moving toward war completely ignores the fact that Japan itself was once an aggressor and perpetrator of war in history. I firmly oppose such moves," said a protester.
Another demonstrator said, "This is a terrible government. I hope things can return to normal as soon as possible. But to achieve that, the current Cabinet must step down."
In separate interviews with China Central Television, many protesters expressed deep concern that Japan is heading toward war, which is extremely dangerous.
"The attempt to revise Article 9 of the Constitution to include the Self-Defense Forces shows a clear intention to move toward war and turn Japan into a country that can wage war. That is why I am particularly worried and angry," said a protester.
"Since the House of Representatives election, I've seen in the news every day that Japan is heading toward war at an alarming pace. Reports about weapons exports and rising defense spending could be seen every day. That makes people deeply uneasy," said another.
Others criticized the government for prioritizing military buildup while ordinary citizens struggle with deteriorating livelihood.
"The government puts military affairs and weapons above the lives of ordinary people. It even seeks to profit from arms. Now the Diet appears to be tightening its grip through various restrictions and controls, including on information. These moves truly frighten me," said a protester.
"They don't care about the people at all. I feel that strongly, and that's why I'm angry. If things continue like this, the government is moving in a direction that makes war more likely," said another.
Japan's current Constitution, which took effect in 1947, is often referred to as the pacifist Constitution because Article 9 states that the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.
After being designated prime minister in a parliamentary vote earlier this month, Takaichi reiterated her commitment to constitutional revision, sparking concern across various sectors of Japanese society.
Japanese rally against PM Takaichi's attempt to revise constitution
