UNESCO event heralds Cork as a learning city

THE role of Cork as a driver of UNESCO Learning Cities worldwide was recently highlighted and applauded as a model of best practice at an international event hosted in Shanghai.

Cork Learning City’s delegation presented on several learning innovations to an audience of cities from China, Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Britain at an event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Global Network of Learning Cities.

The Cork experience was cited as an exemplar by UNESCO for the further development of this growing global initiative.

Independent councillor Mick Finn was part of a two-pronged delegation to Shanghai — invited and hosted by UNESCO in the East China Normal University — along with Cork Learning City co-ordinator, Denis Barrett, and director of organisation and finance of Cork ETB, Enda McWeeney.

“For a small city like Cork, it was great to be held up as a model of access to lifelong learning for all by a big city like Shanghai with a population of 26m,” said Mr Finn.

“The role of local, neighbourhood structures during covid illustrated the importance of cities in implementing national strategies, proving that cities can be to the fore in engaging older, disadvantaged, or marginalised people who may wish to further their skills, abilities, and education.

“Initiatives like our Lifelong Learning Festival, Cork Access Network, and the many personal stories of people going back to learning later in life, or following traumatic life experiences, really resonated with those present.

“So much so that several delegations are intending to travel to Cork next April to see these initiatives in action during Lifelong Learning Festival Week 2024.”

Advancing the concept of lifelong learning as a human right was a strong focus for the discussions during the 10th-anniversary UNESCO event, with cities from France, Egypt, and Argentina among those also leading the charge.

“Broadening the range of learning opportunities for people and communities in Cork is a priority action that should follow on from this event, with the ongoing support of partners including Cork ETB, MTU, and UCC working with city council,” said Mr Finn.