Drawing on an analysis of 71 childcare policy documents across eight Chinese megacities, the study identified key pathways to advancing universal childcare in the context of population decline. It highlighted two approaches to government responsibility—state-led and family-supportive—and outlines four supply modes. The findings offer comparative insights for improving policy design and support ongoing efforts to build an inclusive, high-quality childcare system in China.

Shanghai co-hosted a UNESCO learning cities meeting on digital and AI innovation for ESD, where Shanghai and Espoo shared practices in AI-enabled climate education and game-based learning. The meeting highlighted how emerging technologies enhance learning, foster collaboration, and support inclusive, future-oriented sustainable education across global learning cities.

An international study published across 34 countries shows that the biological age of the brain can be accelerated or delayed by environmental risk (air pollution, public housing conditions) and protective factors (socioeconomic equality, access to healthcare). The stronger effects arise from interactions among environmental, social, and political conditions. The paper is published today [Friday, 3^rd April 2026] in the journal Nature Medicine.