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Join on Telegram Rabat – UNESCO announced today that three Moroccan cities, including Agadir, Fez, and Essaouira, have joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC).
The integration of these cities into the network recognizes their efforts in making “lifelong learning a reality for all at the local level,” UNESCO said in a press release.
In a statement, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized the key role of cities in transforming the right to education into a tangible reality for individuals of all ages.
With the addition of Agadir, Fez, and Essaouira, Morocco now has a total of seven cities within the network, joining Marrakech, Ifrane, Chefchaouen, and Benguerir.
The announcement was made during an online event titled “Empowering Learners of All Ages: UNESCO Learning Cities Transform Lives,” during which the names of the new cities joining the network were revealed.
A total of 64 new cities from 35 countries were added to the network on the recommendation of a jury of experts, as noted in the press release.
The network currently comprises 356 cities worldwide, sharing expertise and paving the way for lifelong learning opportunities for 390 million citizens.
Azoulay said in the press release that these cities have an important role in “transforming the right to education into a tangible reality for individuals of all ages.”
She added, “With the new admissions, the network now includes 356 member cities from all around the world that share know-how and pave the way for lifelong learning opportunities for 390 million citizens.”
The new members will co-lead the #LifeLongLearning campaign in their respective cities. The campaign will mobilize learners worldwide to advocate for lifelong learning, and emphasize that the right to education applies to all ages.
Key characteristics of UNESCO Learning Cities include strong connections between educational, training, and cultural institutions, as well as engagement from a wide range of partners, including the public sector, civil society organizations, and employers.
