UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities: A decade of collaboration and innovation to strengthen lifelong learning

Urban areas are currently home to 55% of the world’s population. Cities therefore play a key role in providing lifelong learning opportunities and have tremendous potential to contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 4. They are well-placed to address many of today’s challenges, including climate change, discrimination and social instability, and to advance health literacy, gender equality and decent work, among others. Yet, many cities still struggle to provide learning opportunities to all of their citizens.

In response to the need to strengthen lifelong learning at the local level, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) launched the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) during the first International Conference of Learning Cities, which took place in Beijing, People’s Republic of China, in 2013. 

The network has since become a driving force for the promotion of sustainable development through lifelong learning at the local level. Today, 292 UNESCO learning cities from 76 countries make lifelong learning a reality for their citizens. 

Discover the milestones of the network in our multimedia story!