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THE UNESCO GLOBAL NETWORK OF LEARNING CITIES (GNLC) WHY A GLOBAL NETWORK OF LEARNING CITIES? Lifelong learning systems are at the heart of both UNESCO’s work on Education for All (EFA) and the Education 2030 Framework for Action. Lifelong learning is also an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A growing number of cities have identified lifelong learning as key to tackling challenges relating to social cohesion, economic development and sustainability in their cities. The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) was established by UNESCO through the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, with the mission of supporting and accelerating the practice of lifelong learning in cities by: promoting
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
policy dialogue and peer learning among members, forging links, fostering partnerships, building capacities and developing instruments to encourage and recognize progress in building learning cities. This international policy-oriented network gathers together cities that view lifelong learning as being crucial for their inclusive, sustainable urban development. At the 1st International Conference on Learning Cities in October 2013 in Beijing, China, the Beijing declaration on Building Learning Cities1 and the Key Features of Learning Cities2 were adopted, which serve as the guiding documents of the GNLC today. They provide cities and their partners with an overall framework describing the key features of a learning city and the actions that must be taken to build a learning city. A 2nd International
Conference on Learning Cities was held in 2015 in Mexico City, Mexico. This conference opened up the GNLC to all cities interested in membership.
WHAT IS THE UNESCO GLOBAL NETWORK OF LEARNING CITIES? The UNESCO GNLC is an international policy-oriented network for sharing inspiration, know-how and best practices, which aims to support and improve learning cities around the world. As of June 2016, the GNLC consisted of more than 100 member cities from every region of the world. Current member cities range from metropolises with several million inhabitants, such as Mexico City (Mexico), Amman (Jordan) and São Paulo
KEY FEATURES OF LEARNING CITIES
A vibrant culture of learning throughout life
Enhanced quality and excellence in learning
Extended use of modern learning technologies
Effective learning for and in the workplace
Revitalized learning in families and communities
MAJOR BUILDING BLOCKS OF A LEARNING CITY
Sustainable development
Inclusive learning in the education system
WIDER BENEFITS OF BUILDING A LEARNING CITY
Econ d omi nt an ermen cultuc develo w o p esio ral p pmen m e l rosp l coh idua e r i t yt a n d Indiv socia Lifelong learning for all is our city’s future
Strong political will and commitment FUNDAMENTAL CONDITIONS FOR BUILDING A LEARNING CITY
Governance and participation of all stakeholders Mobilization and utilization of resources Learning Cities are defined as cities which effectively mobilize their resources in every sector to: • promote inclusive learning from basic to higher education; • revitalize learning in families and communities; • facilitate learning for and in the workplace; • extend the use of modern learning technologies; • enhance quality and excellence in learning, and; • foster a culture of learning throughout life. 1
http://learningcities.uil.unesco.org/fileadmin/content/ In so doing they seek to create and reinforce individual empowerment and social cohesion, economic Publications/Conference/Beijing_declaration_EN.pdf 2 and cultural prosperity, and sustainable development. http://learningcities.uil.unesco.org/keyfeatures/key-features-of-learning-cities
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