UNESCO learning cities' responses to COVID-19
When the COVID-19 global pandemic hit in 2020, governments around the world temporarily closed educational institutions in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus. But how did learning continue for young and old during this time?
The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) called on its network of 229 UNESCO learning cities to provide insights into their particular handling of the situation. During a UIL webinar series in 2020, they jointly developed strategies and exchanged information about good practices to ensure that learning did not stop.
In our new publication Snapshots of learning cities’ responses to COVID-19, we showcase local responses to COVID-19. The UNESCO learning city of Osan, Republic of Korea, provided one of them.
The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) called on its network of 229 UNESCO learning cities to provide insights into their particular handling of the situation. During a UIL webinar series in 2020, they jointly developed strategies and exchanged information about good practices to ensure that learning did not stop.
In our new publication Snapshots of learning cities’ responses to COVID-19, we showcase local responses to COVID-19. The UNESCO learning city of Osan, Republic of Korea, provided one of them.
Osan, Republic of Korea
Osan City, Republic of Korea, launched the TTASUM Mask-Sharing Project in March 2020. The project aims to create a warm culture of companionship by raising and sharing citizens’ consciousness of collective endeavour.
Despite quarantine and social-distancing measures being implemented in response to the pandemic, concerns of a mask shortage were growing in the community. This project, wherein local citizens are provided with filter-replaceable cotton masks, was the municipal government’s response.
Despite quarantine and social-distancing measures being implemented in response to the pandemic, concerns of a mask shortage were growing in the community. This project, wherein local citizens are provided with filter-replaceable cotton masks, was the municipal government’s response.
Project funding
The city’s disaster relief funds and lifelong education programme budget served as financial resources for personal protective equipment (PPE) production. The project was promoted within two separate groups: students only (to minimize the spread of the virus in schools so that they could remain open) and the general public.
Producing masks
Almost 100,000 filter-replaceable cotton masks were produced and distributed to 46,000 students from primary to high-school level. In addition, some 25,000 mask production kits, comprising mask-making and reference materials, were distributed to the general public to encourage independent mask making and counteract the shortage of masks.
Video guidelines to help
The Osan City Government uploaded video guidelines on its education portal website so that citizens could participate in the project while practising social distancing.
Civic activists also offered lectures targeting those who had difficulties producing their own masks. By the end of the project, around 12,000 finished cotton masks were also donated to vulnerable groups.
Civic activists also offered lectures targeting those who had difficulties producing their own masks. By the end of the project, around 12,000 finished cotton masks were also donated to vulnerable groups.
Challenge: Budget
The primary challenge to the TTASUM Mask-Sharing Project was securing a budget, since the project and wider situation were unanticipated. However, the relevant departments in the city hall cooperated and helped to carry out the project within a short period. The voluntary participation of the local community proved to be the project’s biggest success story.
The Mayor of Osan also facilitated the project’s success by promoting it heavily. The project coordinators advise any city intending to promote a similar initiative in future to consider the purpose and target of their initiative before taking administrative action and to establish a detailed, user-centred plan.
The Mayor of Osan also facilitated the project’s success by promoting it heavily. The project coordinators advise any city intending to promote a similar initiative in future to consider the purpose and target of their initiative before taking administrative action and to establish a detailed, user-centred plan.
Learn more!
Find more cases in our publication Snapshots of learning cities’ responses to COVID-19
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) supports and improves the practice of lifelong learning in member cities by promoting policy dialogue and peer learning, documenting effective strategies and good practice, fostering partnerships, providing capacity development, and developing tools and instruments to design, implement and monitor learning cities strategies.
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Photos courtesy of © Getty Images / Sanga Park, pawita warasiri, towfiqu barbhuiya, Getty Images / Jae Young Ju
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Photos courtesy of © Getty Images / Sanga Park, pawita warasiri, towfiqu barbhuiya, Getty Images / Jae Young Ju
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UNESCO learning cities' responses to COVID-19
Osan, Republic of Korea
Project funding
Producing masks
Video guidelines to help
Challenge: Budget
Learn more!
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities