Global Perspectives on Learning Cities

This book examines the social, political and economic rationales, which lead to the development of learning cities in diverse settings in Africa, Australia, Asia and Europe. Many of the contributors are practitioners who have played an active part in the development of their learning city. Some contributors are both practitioners and researchers on learning cities. Some are primarily researchers who are focused on understanding learning cities, gauging the benefits and potential of learning cities and formulating new theories and approaches. The book also includes interviews with and contributions from key founding figures in the learning cities movement and in the development of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities. The book explores diverse initiatives that are shaping the lives of people in cities today and into the future, fostering inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience. Each chapter offers a unique perspective on the transformative power of lifelong learning and collective commitment. Contributors share their insights, from grassroots to high level policy discussions, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs encountered along the way. This is the first major book looking at learning cities across the globe from both theoretical and practical perspectives. What sets it apart is the diversity in the material offered and the geographical and cultural spread of contexts. Cities are becoming ever more important to the future of humanity, learning cities are a vast laboratory of new and innovative ways in which people can learn together to create more fulfilling lives, better opportunities and put into practice on a daily basis the four principles outlined in the Delors Report (1996): Learning to know, Learning to do, Learning to live together, Learning to be. This book is a valuable resource for policymakers, educators, and community leaders striving to build more inclusive and sustainable societies. Whether embarking on the journey of developing a learning city or seeking inspiration from successful initiatives, readers will find practical insights and thought-provoking perspectives within these pages.

Séamus Ó Tuama is Director of ACE (Adult Continuing Education) at University College Cork, Ireland and Chair of the ASEM Education and Research Hub for Lifelong Learning (ASEM LLL Hub), an official network for university cooperation in Lifelong Learning Research across 51 countries in Asia and Europe. He was a member of the organising committee when Cork City hosted the third UNESCO International Conference on Learning Cities in 2017. He continues to be actively engaged in Cork Learning City, being a member of both the Lifelong Learning Festival and Learning Neighbourhoods committees. He has presented, published and delivered workshops on learning cities across the globe. He is a member of the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame, an ambassador for eucen and a recipient of an AAACE President’s Appreciation Award. He serves on various committees, boards and panels on adult education and lifelong learning internationally. He holds academic roles at the Department of Government & Politics, University College Cork, as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Science & Technology Meghalaya, India, as a visiting professor at Adi Shankara Institute of Engineering & Technology, India; Daffodil University, Bangladesh and Yogyakarta State University, Indonesia.

Eric Agbessi is a university professor and director of the Institute of Technology at the University of Clermont Ferrand in France. He has been a researcher in the field of public space and its interaction with territories for the last 30 years. He is currently working on improving learning in the context of learning cities. He is a member of Research Network 6: Learning Cities and Learning Regions of ASEM Lifelong Learning Hub and is a former member of the Steering Committee of eucen.

Tina Neylon was founding Coordinator of the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival, one the most significant dimensions of Cork Learning City and a key component in Cork being recognised by UNESCO as one of the first global learning cities in 2015. She served as its Coordinator from its inception in 2004 until 2017. She was a member of the organising committee when Cork City hosted the third UNESCO International Conference on Learning Cities in 2017. She also served on the drafting committees for declarations on Learning Cities at two of the UNESCO conferences, in Beijing (2013) and Cork (2017). She returned to education as a mature student at University College Cork and graduated with an MA. She has worked in Arts, Heritage and Media, including as curator of a stately home, books editor at a national newspaper, radio presenter, and parliamentary assistant. Her wide working experiences informs her approach to learning cities and lifelong learning.