UNESCO Global Network of Learning CitiesA learning city is a city which effectively mobilizes its resources in every sector to promote inclusive learning from basic to higher education; revitalize learning in families and communities; facilitate learning for and in the workplace; extend the use of modern learning technologies; enhance quality and excellence in learning; and foster a culture of learning throughout life. In so doing it will create and reinforce individual empowerment and social cohesion, economic and cultural prosperity, and sustainable development. ^^ This plan is based on the Key Features of Learning Cities framework developed by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL). The framework was formally endorsed by mayors and city education executives of learning cities as well as experts participating in the International Conference on Learning Cities.[Submitter's Note: This StratML rendition was converted from the source by Claude.ai and edited in the XForm at https://stratml.us/forms2/Part1Form.xmlUNESCO Institute for Lifelong LearningUIL_UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) is a non-profit, policy-driven, international research, training, information, documentation and publishing institute. One of UNESCO's key education-related institutes, UIL promotes lifelong learning policy and practice with a focus on adult learning and education, especially literacy and non-formal education and alternative learning opportunities for marginalized and disadvantaged groups. The Institute has developed the Key Features of Learning Cities as a framework to help municipal governments and other stakeholders build learning cities that promote lifelong learning for all.UNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.City AuthoritiesMayors, city councils, and education executives of cities implementing learning city initiatives.Educational InstitutionsSchools, universities, community learning centers, and other formal and non-formal education providers.Civil Society OrganizationsNon-governmental organizations and community groups that provide or support learning opportunities.Private SectorBusinesses and corporations that support workplace learning and other educational initiatives.Lifelong learning for all is our city's future._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001To establish a global network of learning cities to support and accelerate the practice of lifelong learning in the world's communities._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000002Inclusive LearningEnsuring that educational opportunities are accessible to all citizens regardless of age, background, or circumstances.Lifelong LearningPromoting learning throughout life, from early childhood to old age, in all contexts including formal education, workplace, family, and community.Quality and ExcellenceEnhancing the quality of learning experiences and fostering excellence in educational provision.SustainabilityEnsuring that learning contributes to sustainable development and reduces negative impacts on the natural environment.ParticipationEncouraging the active involvement of all stakeholders in building and governing learning cities.Empowerment & CohesionEnsure that every citizen has opportunities for education and participation, promoting gender equality, and creating safe, harmonious and inclusive communities._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000031CitizensAll inhabitants of the city, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.Literacy & SkillsEnsure that every citizen has the opportunity to become literate and obtain basic skills._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000041.1Measured by adult literacy rate: Total number of literate persons aged 15 and above, expressed as a percentage of the total population of that age group.Public ParticipationEncourage and enable individuals to actively participate in the public life of their city._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000051.2Measured by participation rate in elections and percentage of citizens involved in volunteering and community activities.Gender EqualityGuarantee gender equality in educational, political, and economic spheres._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000061.3Measured by percentage of seats held by women in city council/congress and percentage of seats held by women in boards of top enterprises.Safety & InclusivenessCreate safe, harmonious and inclusive communities._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000071.4Measured by crime levels and indicators of social mobility.Economic Development & Cultural ProsperityStimulate sustainable economic growth, create employment opportunities, support innovation, and ensure access to cultural and recreational activities._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000082WorkforceEmployed and unemployed citizens, including youth and migrant workers.Economic GrowthStimulate inclusive and sustainable economic growth._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000092.1Measured by GDP per capita and urban poverty rates.Employment OpportunitiesCreate employment opportunities for all citizens._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000102.2Measured by unemployment rate.Innovation SupportActively support science, technology and innovation._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000112.3Measured by human resources in science and technology and patent filing rates.Cultural AccessEnsure access to diverse cultural activities._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000122.4Measured by participation in cultural activities such as visits to museums, theaters, cinemas, concert halls and sporting events.RecreationEncourage participation in leisure and physical recreation._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000132.5Measured by percentage of population participating in physical exercise or sports regularly.Sustainable DevelopmentReduce negative environmental impacts, enhance the liveability of cities, and promote sustainable development through active learning._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000143Environmental StakeholdersOrganizations and individuals concerned with environmental protection and sustainable urban development.Environmental ImpactReduce the negative impacts of economic and other human activities on the natural environment._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000153.1Measured by CO2 emissions and waste management metrics.LiveabilityEnhance the liveability of cities._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000163.2CitiesMeasured by percentage of population living in slums and satisfaction with public transportation.LearningPromote sustainable development through active learning in all settings._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000173.3Measured by education for sustainable development initiatives and citizens' environmental stewardship behaviors.EducationExpand access to education from early childhood to adulthood and provide support for marginalized groups._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000184Education ProvidersSchools, universities, and other educational institutions that deliver formal education.Marginalized GroupsEarly ChildhoodExpand access to early childhood care and education._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000194.1Measured by net enrollment rate in pre-primary education.Primary & TertiaryExpand access to education from primary to tertiary level._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000204.2Measured by mean years of schooling.AdultsExpand access to and participation in adult education and technical and vocational education and training._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000214.3AdultsMeasured by percentage of adults participating in education or training.Marginalized GroupsProvide support for marginalized groups, including migrant families, to ensure access to education._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000224.4Marginalized GroupsMigrant FamiliesMeasured by support measures for disadvantaged groups and senior citizens.Spaces, Participation & KnowledgeEstablish community-based learning spaces, motivate participation in family and community learning, and recognize indigenous knowledge._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000235Families and CommunitiesFamilies, neighborhood groups, and community organizations that engage in non-formal learning.Spaces & ResourcesEstablish community-based learning spaces and provide resources for learning in families and communities._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000245.1Measured by number of functional community-based learning spaces per 100,000 inhabitants.ParticipationMotivate people to participate in family and community learning._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000255.2Measured by percentage of citizens participating in community learning activities regularly and engaging in family learning.Indigenous KnowledgeRecognize community history and culture, and indigenous ways of knowing and learning as unique and precious resources._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000265.3Measured by number of learning programs based on community history, culture and indigenous knowledge.Organizations & WorkplacesEnsure access to learning opportunities for all workers, helping organizations become learning organizations, and supporting workplace learning._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000276Employers and WorkersBusinesses, employees, trade unions, and employment support agencies involved in workplace learning.AccessEnsure that all members of the workforce, including migrant workers, have access to a broad array of learning opportunities._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000286.1Measured by employed people's participation rate in job-related education and training and support for migrant workers' participation.Learning OrganizationsHelp public and private organizations to become learning organizations._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000296.2Measured by existence of initiatives or strategies to develop learning organizations.Workplace SupportEncourage employers and trade unions to support workplace learning._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000306.3EmployersTrade UnionsMeasured by employers' investment in employees' education and training as a percentage of payroll.Unemployed PeopleProvide appropriate learning opportunities for unemployed youth and adults._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000316.4Unemployed YouthUnemployed AdultsMeasured by youth involvement in education and employment and percentage of unemployed enrolled in training programs.Learning TechnologiesTrain educators to use technologies that enhance learning and expand citizens' access to ICT tools and learning programs._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000327Technology ProvidersOrganizations that provide ICT infrastructure, tools, and training for educational purposes.TrainingTrain administrators, teachers and educators to use technologies that enhance learning._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000337.1EducatorsAdministratorsTeachersMeasured by percentage of teachers/educators who have received ICT training and use ICT regularly for class activities.Citizen AccessExpand citizens' access to ICT tools and learning programmes._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000347.2CitizensMeasured by mobile penetration rate, internet usage, and participation in learning through the internet.Learning & ValuesPromote new learning paradigms, raise awareness of shared values, employ trained educators, and foster learner-friendly environments._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000358Education Quality ExpertsResearchers, evaluators, and practitioners focused on improving the quality of education.Paradigm ShiftPromote a paradigm shift in education and learning from teaching to learning, and from mere acquisition of information to creativity development._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000368.1Measured by education policy that promotes a paradigm shift.Shared ValuesRaise awareness of shared moral, ethical and cultural values, and promote tolerance of differences._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000378.2Measured by percentage of citizens who socialize with people from other cultures regularly.QualificationsEmploy appropriately trained administrators, teachers and educators._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000388.3Measured by ratio of students/learners to teachers/educators at different education levels.Learning EnvironmentFoster a learner-friendly environment._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000398.4Measured by percentage of learners satisfied with their learning environment.Events, Information & SystemsOrganize public events that celebrate learning, provide information and guidance, and develop systems to recognize all forms of learning._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000409Learning PromotersOrganizations and individuals who advocate for and celebrate lifelong learning.CelebrationsOrganize and support public events that encourage and celebrate learning._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000419.1Measured by existence of public activities (adult learning week and learning festivals) and use of media to promote learning.Information & SupportProvide adequate information, guidance and support to all citizens, and stimulate them to learn through diverse pathways._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000429.2Measured by percentage of learners satisfied with the provision of information and counseling.Recognition & RewardsDevelop systems that recognize and reward all forms of learning._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000000439.3Measured by availability of policy and practice of recognizing, validating and accrediting all learning outcomes.Leadership, Strategies & MonitoringDemonstrate leadership, develop strategies, and monitor progress in building learning cities._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000004410City LeadersMayors, city council members, and other elected or appointed officials responsible for city governance.It takes strong political will and commitment to successfully build a learning city. Politicians and administrators have primary responsibility for commiting political resources to realizing the vision of a learning city.Political LeadershipDemonstrate strong political leadership and make a steadfast commitment to turning our cities into learning cities._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000004510.1Measured by the strength and commitment of leadership demonstrated in developing and implementing the learning city strategy.Strategic DevelopmentDevelop and implement well grounded and participatory strategies for promoting lifelong learning for all._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000004610.2Measured by legislation, public policy and strategy for promoting 'lifelong learning for all' adopted by the city council.Progress MonitoringConsistently monitor progress towards becoming a learning city._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000004710.3Measured by measures adopted by the city authorities to monitor progress in developing and implementing the learning city strategy.Coordination, Partnerships & ParticipationEstablish inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms, develop partnerships, and encourage stakeholder participation in building learning cities._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000004811Multi-Sector PartnersRepresentatives from government, civil society, private sector, and educational institutions who collaborate on learning city initiatives.All sectors of society have a key role to play in learning and education and should participate in building learning cities. However, stakeholders and citizens are more likely to contribute to building learning cities if decisions are made in a participatory way.CoordinationEstablish inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms to involve governmental and non-governmental organizations and the private sector in building learning cities._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000004911.1Measured by the effectiveness of measures to encourage stakeholder mobilization and coordination.PartnershipsDevelop bilateral or multilateral partnerships between sectors in order to share resources and increase the availability of learning opportunities._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000005011.2Measured by stakeholders' participation and private sectors' commitment to the learning city strategy.Stakeholder ContributionsEncourage all stakeholders to provide quality learning opportunities and to make their own unique contribution to building a learning city._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000005111.3Measured by stakeholders' commitment, plans and actions to develop better and more accessible learning opportunities.Resources & BarriersEncourage financial investment in lifelong learning, make effective use of resources, and remove barriers to learning._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000005212Resource ProvidersGovernment agencies, foundations, businesses, and other entities that provide financial and other resources for learning initiatives.Cities and communities that embrace lifelong learning for all have seen significant improvements in terms of public health, economic growth, reduced criminality and increased democratic participation. These wider benefits of lifelong learning present strong arguments for increased investment in the building of learning cities.InvestmentEncourage greater financial investment in lifelong learning by government, civil society, private sector organizations and individuals._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000005312.1Measured by public expenditure on education and learning as a percentage of the total city budget and distribution of public education expenditure.ResourcesMake effective use of the learning resources of all stakeholders and develop innovative funding mechanisms to support lifelong learning for all._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000005412.2Measured by innovative ways of mapping and utilizing human, financial, cultural and other resources available to the city.BarriersRemove structural barriers to learning, adopt pro-poor funding policies and provide various types of support to disadvantaged groups._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000005512.3VolunteerismEncourage citizens to contribute their talents, skills, knowledge and experience on a voluntary basis._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000005612.4Best PracticesEncourage the exchange of ideas, experiences and best practice between organizations in different cities._UIL0000000-0000-0000-0000-00000000005712.52013-10-212030-12-312013-10-21https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000234986OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net