Wakefield Council joins UNESCO international lifelong learning network
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Wakefield Council has joined a global movement to support and accelerate the practice of lifelong learning by becoming a member of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities.
This approach ensures that learning is accessible to all residents throughout every stage of their lives. Whether that be learning for skills, for work or learning for learning’s sake.
It also brings employers and residents closer together by making sure that people have the skills to get a job and progress in work and employers have people with the right skills they need for growth.
“Becoming a member of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities will be a huge advantage for our residents, communities and businesses.
“It means we can work on a national and international level through UNESCO to share good practice and bring new initiatives to Wakefield.
“We will continue to celebrate all the amazing formal and informal learning that happens across our district.
“And most importantly, promote equality and inclusion. We want all our residents to have the opportunity to learn, no matter their age or where they’re from.”
Cllr Michael Graham
Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth
James Bridge, Secretary-General of the United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO, says: “We are delighted to welcome Wakefield to the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. UNESCO Learning Cities put learning at the heart of their communities and are committed to use education and training to support residents whatever their life-stage.
“The Global Network of Learning Cities really is just that; a network of more than 350 cities in 76 countries whose members work collaboratively to share knowledge and develop programmes covering inclusion, education for sustainable development, entrepreneurship education, citizen education and lifelong learning for health and well-being.
“Through developing life-long learning opportunities, the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities also contributes to the achievement of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the UN's goal of building understanding between people and countries around the world.”
Membership of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities is free. Becoming a member reflects the ambition of the Council’s Economic Wellbeing Strategy 2024 – 2029. The strategy strives to improve quality of life across the district through better skills, jobs and pay.
Find out more at https://unesco.org.uk/learning-cities/
Take a look at the Council’s Economic Wellbeing Strategy 2024 – 2029 at https://www.wakefieldfirst.com/news/article/7272/wakefield-district-economic-wellbeing-strategy-2024-2029/