Mo Wang UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning 23 September 2014
Rationale for a global network of learning cities The influence of cities on national and world affairs has increa sed considerably. The trend of urbanisation has increased rapidly. - 2008: 50% of the world population are living in cities As cities expand, municipal governments face different and co mplex challenges. - e.g., demographic change, scientific and technological advances, cultural diversity and environmental sustainability It has become a pressing need to find a solution for dealing with these challenges in the ever more complex and fast-ch anging world. - How to achieve sustainable development? A growing number of cities now recognise that learning, in its broader sense, can be a driver o f better social, cultural, economic and environ mental well-being. Cities are developing innovative strategies which allow citizens to learn new skills and competenci es throughout life, thereby transforming their cit ies into Learning Cities.
Rationale for a global network of learning cities More than 1000 cities in the world have already become or are building Learning/Educating Cities. United Kingdom Canada China South Africa Japan Germany Republic of Korea Vietnam Australia
Rationale for a global network of learning cities German Learning Cities and Regions Learning Regions Promotion of Networks(Lernende Regionen - Förderung von Netzwerken) - 2001-2008 - Funded by German Government, with support from the European Union (EU) Social Fund - over 70 regions were supported Regional Networks for Lifelong Learning (R3L) - 2003-2004 - An initiative across Europe funded by the European Commission. German Learning Regions Networks were directly involved, coordinating 4 of the 17 European R3L networks for cross-border exchanges on lifelong learning issues. Learning on Place (Lernen vor Ort) -Kick-off: Autumn 2009 - Focus on public and private partnership in supporting good educational management in cities and rural communities - 18 districts/counties and 18 cities in 15 federal states participated in the programme
What is a learning city? A Learning City is a city which effectively mobilises its resources in every sector to promote inclusive learning from basic to higher education;... re-vitalise learning in families and communities;... facilitate learning for and in the workplace;... extend the use of modern learning technologies;... In so doing it will create and reinforce individual empowerment and social cohesion, economic and cultural prosperity, and sustainable development. enhance quality and excellence in learning; and... nurture a culture of learning throughout life.
Establishment of the Global Network of Learning Cities The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities Position Statement international policy-oriented, change-driven and interaction-focused network to connect and support all municipalities which strive to practise lifelong learning for the benefits of individual empowerment and social cohesion, economic development and cultural prosperity, and for the ultimate objective of achieving sustainable development.
Purpose and objectives of the GNLC To create an international global platform to mobilise cities and demonstrate how to effectively use their resources in every sector to develop and enrich all their human potential. to advocate for lifelong learning for all as an organising principle of education policy and reform, with the aim of building a learning society; to provide member cities with normative instruments to measure progress and transform political discourses into concrete strategies for building learning cities and regions; to confer a learning city award to member cities showing exceptional progress and achievements as Learning Cities; to facilitate and disseminate research on the enrichment of the concept of a learning city and its essential characteristics, and to use this research to support the building of more learning cities; to promote policy dialogue and peer learning among member cities through international conferences, seminars and exchange activities on building learning cities as a strategy for promoting lifelong learning; to serve as a clearing house of successful practice in establishing learning cities/regions; and to collaborate with related international associations, networks and bring stakeholders from various sectors together to work collectively for the sustainable socio-economic development of cities/regions.
A total of 23 collaborating partners of the GNLC
First International Conference on Learning Cities 550 delegates from more than 102 countries participated in the Conference, including mayors, city education executives, UN agencies, NGO s and international corporations.
First International Conference on Learning Cities...this International Conference on Learning Cities is such a milestone. This goes to the heart of UNESCO s work in lifelong learning... Irina Bokova, Director-General, UNESCO The Lord Mayor, Catherine Clancy, is hosting a Civic Reception in December to acknowledge our attendance and to publicise the Declaration on Learning Cities. Tina Neylon, Coordinator, Cork Lifelong Learning Festival, Ireland We would like to know more about your learning city ideas and see how this can further benefit our city. Jose Enrique Sandejas Garcia III, Mayor of Balanga,Philippines Big congratulations to UIL for a great & successful meeting held in Beijing to promote lifelong learning. We wish UIL will continuously lead the role to promote the lifelong learning. Lydia Zhou, PRC K-12 Education Programme Manager, Intel
Outcome documents of the Conference Beijing Declaration on Building Learning Cities The Key Features of Learning Cities
Beijing Declaration - call for action UNESCO: to establish a global network of learning cities Cities and regions: to join this global network and to develop and implement lifelong learning strategies International and regional organizations: to become active partners in this network National authorities: to encourage local jurisdictions to build learning cities, regions and communities, and to participate in international peer learning activities Foundations, private corporations and civil society organisations: to become active partners of the Global Network of Learning Cities
Key Features of Learning Cities Why Key Features of Learning Cities? - To support in a meaningful way the development of lifelong learning within and across member cities; - To determine how much progress is being made to implement lifelong learning for all in many of the world s urban communities; and - To facilitate international comparative analysis and mutual learning among member cities.
The Framework of the Key features
The possible measurements: Wider benefits of building a learning city
Why join the GNLC? being part of a group of cities with common interests, tackling similar issues/challenges, and envisioning similar development agenda; Cities communicating with a network of experts and professionals specialised in the field of lifelong learning for sustainable development; accessing a global repository of know-how, hands-on experience and best practices in developing learning cities;... showcasing the city, its experiences, programmes, innovative measures and lessons learnt in developing learning cities through the communication channels of the network.... Other Partners The GNLC has designed customisable schemes enabling strategic cooperation with partners and accommodating their specific needs for development and growth through being part of the GNLC.
Work-plan 2014-2015 Expand the membership and partnership of the network Cities Other partners from a variety of sectors Diversify, enrich and enhance the communication channels and exchange platforms the GNLC Website: () The second International Conference on Learning Cities Regional and national conferences Provide concrete technical support for developing learning cities in international communities Case studies of learning cities Technical assistance in terms of the Key Features of Learning Cities Outcome documents translation and dissemination
The Website of Global Network of Learning Cities http://learningcities.uil.unesco.org/home
Second International Conference on Learning Cities Call for Participation! -Mexico City, 2015 Aim: to take stock of the progress in establishing and expa nding the GNLC and provide a platform for stakeholders to share best practices and lessons learnt in building learning cities Organisers: UNESCO, the Ministry of Education of Mexico City
Contacts: UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning Feldbrunnenstr. 58 20148 Hamburg Germany Tel.: 0049 40 80 41 12 learningcities@unesco.org learningcities.uil.unesco.org