Learning cities in Portugal: Cascais joins the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities

Cascais is one of the first learning cities in Portugal, along with Mação and Câmara de Lobos, to have joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. Cascais has long been promoting educational advancement through the Educating Cities Initiative and championing active citizenship and sustainable development through corresponding policies. Joining the Network is the next step in this respect, and will see Cascais advance as a learning city by placing yet more emphasis on lifelong learning principles.

A city of 206,479 inhabitants, Cascais attaches great importance to its citizens and their participation in society, as its slogan, "Cascais, It All Starts with the People", conveys. Indeed, so strong is its advocacy of citizens’ involvement in decision-making and of social entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity, that it was awarded the status of “Capital of Citizenship and Democratic Participation” during the European Year of Citizens in 2013. It is also set to be the European Capital of Youth in 2018.

The 4 Axes framework to implement lifelong learning for all

Cascais has developed a framework centred around 4 axes of action: territory, people, present and future.

The first axis, territory, involves promoting a greater sense of community by encouraging citizens to become involved in communal and school gardening projects. The second axis, people, involves providing spaces for non-formal education and creating vocational courses and more inclusive education programmes. The third axis, present, is about promoting volunteering and citizens’ participation in decision-making. The fourth axis, future, involves strengthening employability skills training, fostering youth programmes and developing partnerships with universities in Cascais.

Joining the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities brings with it a wealth of opportunities. Not only will Cascais be able to exchange knowledge and experiences with other learning cities in Portugal, it will also be able to establish links and strengthen its collaboration with other cities around the world.