What can adults do to turn children into curious and empathetic adults? One way is to show trust and respect, acknowledging that children are born with abilities and innate creativity.
Strategy and values
Learn for Life’s overall goal is to inspire adults to find pathways in upbringing and learning that contribute to making children and families capable of living fulfilling lives. This mission is achieved through training and cultural exchange with play and community at the center.
The Danish view on children and human nature
This heading refers to the communication of the Danish perspective on children and human nature in a way that encourages reflection among participants. This happens when new eyes assess their own approach to pedagogy and quality of life based on an experience of what makes life worth living.
The association's values:
Imagination
Formation/education
Active learning
Creativity
Community
The four development tracks
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1. Courses of 2-3 weeks' duration
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The courses are aimed at:
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Teachers and leaders
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Parents with and without children
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Social education students
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2. Cultural activities and exchange
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Parts of the pedagogy are combined with culture- and experience-based activities targeted at parents and children. This includes learning trips and events such as seminars, theater, and art projects that contribute to storytelling with Hans Christian Andersen and general education as focal points.
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3. Learn for Life as collaborative partner
The initiative will be coordinated with new partners, including educational institutions, folk high schools, and research centers. A strong strategic collaboration with culture and tourism actors is also a key focus.
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4. Implementation
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A key task is to spread awareness in China and other Asian countries. The means include Danish educators, materials, and tools. The first steps in this direction include a series of online courses and the annual China-Denmark Education Forum, which over the past five years has attracted more than two million online viewers (as of 2022). In 2023, the forum was held physically in Denmark for the first time, and in the fall of 2024, it was held in China. Again, in 2025 CDEF will be held in China.
Play, Well-being and Innovation – Workshops at TORRAS in Shenzhen Sixth Edition of the China–Denmark Education Forum – Once Again in China Reunion Joy and China Experiences When Pedagogy Crosses Borders: Mutual Value in Cultural and Knowledge Exchange Between Danish and Chinese Educators Information Meeting 2026: Danish Pedagogues Three Weeks in a Chinese Kindergarten Nordic and Baltic Kindergarten Leaders Strengthen Storytelling in Nature H.C. Andersen Festivals – Something for Everyone! Enchanting Days for Kindergarten Children at H.C. Andersen Festivals Learn For Life invites children and adults into the world of dreams at the H.C. Andersen Festivals 2025 H.C. Andersen Festival 2025: Long Live Hans Christian Andersen! “The Princess and the Pea” – as Story Based Movement Play in China HCA FESTIVALS: Dream Play with The Sandman HCA Festivals: DREAMDANCE – A First-Time Performance for People with Developmental Disabilities Stina is ready for another journey… Community! You Are Unique! Life Is a Journey... Special Screening of the film “Yueyue’s Denmark” at the SPROGENSE Festival Three Days of workshops in Chengdu Three Weeks in Chinese Kindergartens Valuable dialoge at the China-Denmark Education Forum in China First Time in China for the Denmark-China Education Forum Thank You for Playing Along Intense Learning Days at Nordfyns Folk High School HCA Festivals: Small Street Performances Across Cultures Danish-Inspired Book by Kindergarten Director Liu Fangfang Invitation to Enchanted Play Communities at the H.C. Andersen Festivals Major Education Conference with Familiar CDEF Participants Korean Workshops Lead to Return Visit at Nordfyns Folk High School A day with Fairy Tale Play Communities Global coffee giant celebrates Christmas with Hans Christian Andersen in China Last online seminar before the Christmas holidays 2023 Reform-friendly thoughts at the fore during the annual education meeting in China Join the Party at Elverhøj Chinese Kindergarten Teachers Explore the World of Hans Christian Andersen Clumsy Hans – A Chinese Interpretation New play-textbook with inspiration from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales Watch and learn what Danes and Chinese think about ChatGPT Play Workshops for Educators – With and Without Children Revised Edition of Li Zhenxi’s Book: Education Has 100 Languages Three Weeks of an Unforgettable Study Tour for 33 Students and Their Teachers The Danish Chinese Education Forum is being held in Denmark for the first time Check out our website: PlaywithHCA.org William Yip is back with his theater children Inspire-Share-Learn (ISL) – a cultural exchange project for Danish and Chinese pupils. HCA play workshops for Chinese educators Record-number of viewers for the Danish-Chinese well-being forum Third edition of the CHINA DENMARK EDUCATION FORUM Watch the dialogue between Viktor Axelsen and Li Zhenxi Being a child in China: Growing up, socializing, learning and formation Play with Hans Christian Andersen - new book in preparation Youth culture meeting between Korup School and QingYing School in China Learn for Life – Now Featured in Kinabladet Children and Educators Bring a World of Wonder New Chinese children's book with Danish and Chinese children's drawings Christmas movie and greetings from China Good and informal atmosphere at the LIFE Education Innovation Forum Danish free school tradition inspires reform-friendly Chinese 1,319,216 Chinese viewers Sino-Danish forum focuses of the well-being of children and students Set the compass of your heart Danish children's drawings for a Chinese book Thanks a lot to H.C. Andersen Foundation Educational Institute celebrates Children's Day When inspiration leads to action Smart children have mud on their face Nature Education is hot in China More than one million Chinese followed the forum Program for the online-seminar on 22nd September Rethink Education in the Post-Epidemic Era Status of the Chinese children's film: Yué Yué comes to Denmark If the Chinese cannot come to us, we must come to them The fairytale ‘Bottle neck’ opens up a stream of Chinese creativity. The tree best ideas are awarded a trip to Denmark The Books by Li Zhenxi on Danish Pedagogy and Schooling are Ready to be Distributed The children attend a Danish kindergarten while mom and dad are on course This is what we can bring to the Chinese kindergartens