UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities - 10th Anniversary
This figure is projected to increase to 68% by 2050.
power lifelong learning for their citizens.
which boost international collaboration.
provide lifelong learning opportunities for all and make cities sustainable.
Cities 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.
Explore milestones of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Global Lifelong Learning Festival
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), with the support of East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, will host the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities Lifelong Learning Festival from 30 October to 3 November 2023.
Martín Gill, Mayor of the UNESCO learning city of Villa María, Argentina
Learning is a tool for personal and community transformation. The challenge of making our cities lifelong learning cities is a collective one. It is a challenge that transforms the reality of people into opportunities, rights, dignity, access to knowledge, access to the world of work, culture, recreation, and sports. It is a tool that builds citizenship. That is why we must build learning cities in every corner of the planet, so that everyone can learn, both in school and beyond.
I have never stopped learning, and I hope that UNESCO's #ImALifelongLearner campaign will help us break down borders to ensure the inclusion of everyone!
Francis Anthony S. Garcia Mayor, Mayor of the UNESCO Learning City of Balanga, Philippines
Allow me to extend my congratulations to the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities on its 10th anniversary.
Collaboration is one of the driving forces behind the success of the City of Balanga in its implementation of literacy and lifelong learning programmes. We have been blessed to find a network that fosters a healthy environment for discussions and exchange of ideas and best practices. Being a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities has allows us to learn valuable inputs from different nations and at the same time help us see different perspectives with regard to education.
Thank you for providing an avenue herein different cities can exchange ideas and best practices.
May the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities continue to prosper and may God bless all your future undertakings!
Jukka Mäkelä, Mayor of the UNESCO Learning City of Espoo, Finland
My warmest congratulations on the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.
Since its start, the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities has successfully connected cities around the globe to promote learning. During its first decade, the network has grown and evolved. In Espoo, we have especially valued the opportunity to share and learn with cities near and far.
Learning is the cornerstone of sustainable development. The UN Sustainable Development Goals can only be achieved when we invest in learning. Cities have a crucial role: We recruit educators, we build the schools and the libraries, we bring different actors together to develop learning for citizens of all ages.
In the future, we look forward to more concrete actions in the Global Network of Learning Cities. The Sustainable Development Goals can be achieved if we act together - locally, nationally, and internationally.
Let’s act for a sustainable future together. Let’s keep learning thriving.
Stela Kalogeraki-Archontaki, Deputy Mayor of the UNESCO Learning City of Heraklion, Greece
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities is celebrating its 10th anniversary. This event is an excellent opportunity to highlight the significant and global contribution of the network. The Member States can benefit from its guidance, inspiration, initiatives, publications and policy documents, to utilize their learning potentials and achieve local development and growth. Nowadays, democratic countries are guided by the perception that Education must follow the new trends and fields and should be recognized as a universal human right for all citizens, regardless of age, nationality, religion, gender, educational level and financial capabilities. Thus, as educational needs are constantly expanding, the most suitable methods are sought, the utilization of innovative programs, but also the mitigation of educational inequalities in societies. In this direction, UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities carries out an important mission.
Masao Omori, Mayor of the UNESCO Learning City of Okayama City, Japan
I would like to extend our sincere congratulations on the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO Global Network of Leaning Cities. Since its establishment in 2013, the GNLC has played a central role in the international networks, connecting the learning cities around the world and creating diverse learning opportunities including the International Conference on Learning Cities (ICLC), for which I would like to express my deepest respect.
Today, global issues such as climate change, loss of biodiversity and social inequality are becoming more serious in many parts of the world, and the social environment that supposed to ensure a bountiful life for future generations is being damaged year by year. We recognize that lifelong learning is a key to solving these various global issues and building a sustainable society.
David de la Peña, Mayor of the UNESCO Learning City of Santiago, Mexico
Pengtao Yan, Director of the Lifelong Education Department, Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, People’s Republic of China
Cities play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality services to the public and promoting the quality development of cities. Lifelong learning is a powerful tool to achieve this.
Show the world that you believe in the transformative power of learning. Join our campaign and tell everyone why you are a lifelong learner.
By supporting our campaign, you are endorsing the view that the #RightToEducation pertains to all ages. Support the paradigm shift in learning and education systems to ensure people of all ages, from all backgrounds, can access the knowledge they need to lead decent lives.
How to get involved
- Take a photo of yourself via our campaign platform and add a sentence why you are a lifelong learner.
- Use the share function on the platform and share your photo and statement on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook using the hashtag #ImALifelongLearner.
- Tag someone you wish to engage in the movement.
#ImALifelongLearner
Join the movement!
Learning city mayors
Selected educators and learners from learning cities
As one of the advisers to UNESCO on the development of the Global Learning Cities Network I am delighted that it has enjoyed such success. Organising a global project such as this one entails vision, sensitivity and understanding. As I said at its inauguration in 2013, this project is one of the most important ventures in the educational world for peace. I believe it to be even more vital in 2023. Bravo to UNESCO in making it happen and may it continue to thrive.
I am delighted to offer my warm congratulations to UIL upon the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. I recall very well the meetings of expert groups in the Republic of Korea and in China prior to the launch of the GNLC in 2013. It has gone from strength to strength, firstly because of the initial impetus of Arne Carlsen and Jin Yang, and subsequently David Atchoarena and Raul Valdes-Cotera, all of whom have had the vision to mobilise cities around the world using learning as the foundation for development. As a Director of the PASCAL Observatory and of the Centre for Research and Development in Adult and Lifelong Learning at the University of Glasgow, my colleagues and I, including from the city of Glasgow, hope that through our own collaborations with the GNLC that we have contributed a little to the success of the network. Certainly it has always been a pleasure working with UIL in offering joint webinars, speaking at conferences and contributing to publications. We look forward to further collaboration in the future including in emerging areas such as the role of cultural assets, and of religion and spirituality to learning in urban spaces. I am very sorry not to be able to join you in Shanghai, but my spirit is with you, and here’s to another decade of success.
The experience of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities over the past decade shows the value of an international network of learning cities sharing and building ideas. While diversity is a key feature of the Network, this is a strength rather than an issue, with experience over a decade pointing to ways that diversity can harness creative outcomes.
The learnings from each other have been an inspiration to existing and new learning cities. So much has been enhanced and demonstrates what can continue to grow and exemplify from the consolidation of policies and practices throughout the world. This enables cities to adapt and transform according to their resources and interests in access and provision for all citizens.
While much has been achieved, the turbulent mega changes confronting all cities argue strongly for the need to move on. These mega challenges include imperatives for innovative ways to connect social, economic, health and environmental objectives in a context marked by a demographic revolution with ageing populations. While the timing of impact differs around the world, all countries are affected, so that fresh ideas are needed in responses to what is being called the “new map of life”. There are networks of universities and innovation institution with which local government personnel supporting learning communities can collaborate - such as the International Networks of Longevity Centres. Broader network linkages should be a feature of the next decade of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GLNC).
While the GNLC can build on a decade of experience, this celebration proves an opportunity to move on and find fresh ways of addressing the era of turbulent disruptive change.
2019 Awardees
2017 Awardees
Fifth International Conference on Learning Cities
2021: Yeonsu, Republic of Korea
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) member Yeonsu, Republic of Korea, hosted the fifth International Conference on Learning Cities (ICLC 5), which took place from 27 to 30 October 2021. The event welcomed education experts and representatives of the 229 members of the UNESCO GNLC to deliberate on the conference theme ‘From emergency to resilience: Building healthy and resilient cities through learning’.
Fourth International Conference on Learning Cities
2019: Medellín, Colombia
The fourth International Conference on Learning Cities was dedicated to the theme of ‘Inclusion – A Principle for Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Cities’, and took place in Medellín, Colombia, from 1 to 3 October 2019. At the conference, the President of Colombia joined around 650 participants, including 50 mayors, as well as government representatives and experts from all UNESCO world regions, to learn how learning cities are investing in education that benefits everyone, including often marginalized groups such as youth-at-risk, migrants, older people, digitally excluded populations and persons with disabilities. With the adoption of the Medellín Manifesto, members of the GNLC pledged to boost inclusion in their communities in the coming years. The conference has set the path for a renewed focus on the so far under-researched challenges confronting vulnerable groups, showcased how lifelong learning policies and practices can support the development of inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities.
Third International Conference on Learning Cities
2017: Cork, Republic of Ireland
The third International Conference on Learning Cities took place from 18 to 20 September 2017 in Cork, Republic of Ireland. It gave further impetus to the cause of inclusion. The resulting Learning Cities and the SDGs: A Guide to Action underscores that ‘responding to the learning needs of all groups in society fosters equity and inclusion’ and thus supports both Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG) 4 (‘Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’) and SDG 11 (‘Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable’). During this conference, attention was directed towards green and healthy learning cities; equitable and inclusive learning cities; and decent work and entrepreneurship in learning cities.
Second International Conference on Learning Cities
2015: Mexico City, Mexico
The second International Conference on Learning Cities, held in Mexico City, Mexico from 28 to 30 September 2015, defined the role of learning cities in achieving sustainability and launched the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. The Mexico City Statement on Sustainable Learning Cities recommends that policies and strategies for building sustainable cities ‘involve all citizens, especially vulnerable people such as indigenous groups, women, persons with disabilities, refugees and displaced people, and place them at the heart of learning city initiatives’. Social, economic and political inclusion are at the core of learning cities, ‘ensuring that all citizens, irrespective of age, sexual orientation or economic, cultural, religious or ethnic background, acquire the literacy and basic skills they need to assert their rights’.
First International Conference on Learning Cities
2013: Beijing, Republic of China
At the first International Conference on Learning Cities (21–23 October 2013 in Beijing, Republic of China), the Beijing Declaration on Building Learning Cities and the Key Features of Learning Cities were adopted. They are testimony to the importance of learning cities’ role in promoting social inclusion, economic growth, public safety and environmental protection. Learning cities can effectively mobilize resources in every sector to promote inclusive learning from basic to higher education.
