Vietnam's We Are ABLE Expands STEAM Education for Girls and Ethnic Minorities

UNESCO, Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training, and CJ Group have launched the third phase of the We Are ABLE initiative. The programme aims to boost STEAM education for girls, especially those from disadvantaged and ethnic minority backgrounds. This latest stage, running from 2026 to 2029, will focus on creating a more inclusive future through science, technology, and leadership training. The new phase, titled We Are ABLE for a Seamless Future, builds on the success of earlier stages. From 2023 to 2025, the second phase reached over 8,000 students and their families, trained more than 650 teachers, and engaged 300 youth leaders. Now, organisers expect the third phase to directly support at least 6,000 students—half of them girls—and strengthen the skills of over 100 educators and counsellors.

Key goals include improving teacher training, expanding hands-on learning, and fostering partnerships between schools, businesses, and women in science and technology. Vũ Minh Đức, Director General of the Department of Teachers and Educational Administrators, noted progress in creating safer, more inclusive classrooms and equipping teachers to promote gender equality. Heekyung Jo Min, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at CJ Group, reaffirmed the company's commitment to the partnership. She emphasised the importance of supporting girls and ethnic minority students through STEAM education. Meanwhile, UNESCO Representative Jonathan Wallace Baker stressed that advancing gender equality in education remains a top priority for the organisation. The initiative ultimately seeks to empower girls and ethnic learners to pursue leadership roles in Vietnam's innovation-driven economy.

The third phase of We Are ABLE will run until 2029, targeting thousands of students and educators across Vietnam. By strengthening teacher capacity and fostering collaboration with businesses and women leaders, the project aims to create lasting opportunities in STEAM fields. Organisers have set clear targets for participation, training, and long-term impact in disadvantaged communities.