UNESCO announces the addition of 77 cities worldwide to its Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) in 2022
—Among new cities named from 44 countries worldwide, 13 hail from Asia and the Pacific, notably 3 from Thailand alone.—
In honor of International Literacy Day, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) recently announced the addition of 77 cities from 44 countries to the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (UNESCO GNLC), in recognition of their outstanding efforts to make lifelong learning a reality for their local and regional communities.
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities:
294 cities in 76 countries
The UNESCO GNLC is an international, policy-oriented network that provides inspiration, know-how and best practices among its members. Learning cities at all stages of development can benefit greatly from sharing ideas with one another. The GNLCs support each other’s efforts to achieve all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular the ‘Education SDG’: SDG 4, which sets out to ‘ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’; as well as SDG 11, which pledges to ‘make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable’ by 2030.
New Asia and Pacific Cities of 2022:
Canning (Australia), Cao Lãnh (Viet Nam), Guangzhou (People's Republic of China), Hamedan (Islamic Republic of Iran), Hat Yai (Thailand), Hwaseong (Republic of Korea), Nilambur (India), Nonsan (Republic of Korea), Phayao (Thailand), Sejong (Republic of Korea), Sukhothai (Thailand), Thrissur (India) and Warangal (India)
New Asia-Pacific cities were added to the GNLC network following their nomination by the National Commissions for UNESCO in each country, and the recommendations of a jury of experts. A strong commitment to lifelong learning by the mayor and city administration, and a demonstrable track record of good practices and policy initiatives are key prerequisites for becoming a learning city.
Thailand leads new Asia ‘learning cities’ with 3 new members named in 2022
This year’s successful nominees from Asia and the Pacific are led by Thailand, with three new cities — Hat Yai, Phayao, and Sukhothai — among the distinguished roster. Thailand has recently been collaborating with the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) and the UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education (UNESCO Bangkok) in promoting the UNESCO learning cities concept throughout the region, and
To promote practices of lifelong learning, and in preparation for more Thailand cities to join the UNESCO GNLC, UNESCO Bangkok has been providing technical support to build the academia and stakeholders' capacity in developing learning city networks across Thailand together with the Program Management Unit on Area Based Development (PMU A) of the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council. The PMU A also financially supports cities in their efforts to transform their approaches towards UNESCO learning cities concepts. In addition, UNESCO collaborates with relevant partners, including the lifelong learning ‘knowledge hub’, Thai Knowledge Park (TK Park), and the Equitable Education Fund, to share experiences in lifelong learning and area-based education promotion in Thailand.
This year’s theme for International Literacy Day 2022, ‘Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces; Exploring Opportunities and Possibilities’, reminds the world of the potential for learning to take place in all settings, at all ages, and in all communities. UNESCO congratulates all its new Global Network members, and looks forward to welcoming many more in the years to come!
For global press release: UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities: 77 new members from 44 countries
