Event
Global Network of Learning Cities webinar ‘Building capacities for an eco-friendly future: the importance of green skills’
On 15 May 2024, the webinar series: ‘Building green, inclusive and climate-resilient urban communities – the learning cities approach’ by the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, will feature the webinar ‘Building capacities for an eco-friendly future: the importance of green skills’.
Currently responsible for around 75 per cent of global CO2 emissions, cities – and in particular the transport systems and office buildings – play a pivotal role in the world’s response to the climate crisis. In addition to being central to the transformation to inclusive and green economies, cities are also at the forefront of efforts to empower local communities with the knowledge and skills that are needed to break long-established patterns of unsustainable consumption, production and mobility. UNESCO learning cities, with their strong expertise in lifelong learning, are uniquely positioned to instil climate consciousness and equip local residents with the green skills essential for a sustainable society.
This webinar will focus on the development of green skills. Beyond the labour market, the green transition also requires a renewed relationship between humanity and the environment. In this respect, life skills such as adaptability, being able to work collaboratively, creativity, flexibility and problem-solving, among others, are essential.
The webinar in will therefore look at green skills development in learning cities – including through vocational training, reskilling and upskilling – both as a response to the climate crisis and as a means to accelerate the transition towards greener local economies. It will consider how green skills development can address unemployment among both younger and older workers while fostering innovation for environmentally friendly solutions to sustainable development.
Time
15 May 2024, 13:00 to 14:00 (CEST)
Registration
Languages
Arabic, English, French, Korean, Spanish
Programme
- Introduction: Mr Alex Howells, UIL Programme Specialist
- Expert input: Ms Hae Kyeung Chun, Technical Officer, Skills and Employability Branch, Employment Policy Department of the International Labour Organization (ILO)
- Speakers from UNESCO learning cities:
- Manchester (UK): Ms Michaela Salmon, Area Adult Education Manager, Manchester Adult Education Service
- Sukhothai (Thailand): Assoc. Prof. Ms Witiya Pittungnapoo, Deputy Dean for Academic and Research Affairs
- Villa María (Argentina): Mr Gabriel Rios, Coordinator of the Learning City Programme of Villa María, Argentina
- Closing: Mr Alex Howells, UIL Programme Specialist
About the webinar series
Leading up to the sixth International Conference on Learning Cities (ICLC 6) themed 'Learning cities at the forefront of climate action,' the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) hosts the webinar series ‘Building green, inclusive and climate-resilient urban communities – the learning cities approach’.
The webinars will explore a variety of topics related to learning city development, with a particular emphasis on how the climate crisis affects local communities. Special attention will be given to examining the connections between the climate emergency and other thematic areas of focus within the global network, including lifelong learning for health and global citizenship education. The primary goal of the webinars is to facilitate exchange and peer-learning among GNLC members. Summaries of the sessions will subsequently be compiled to inform a background document for ICLC 6.
