Cork makes history with second UNESCO Learning City Award
Cork has become the first city in the world to receive the UNESCO Learning City Award for a second time.
Lord Mayor Cllr Dan Boyle was presented with the award by Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), Ms Isabell Kempf on 3 April.
Cork was among 10 cities worldwide recognised as having demonstrated policies and programmes that empower citizens through learning programmes.
Cork first earned UNESCO recognition in 2015 as one of the original 12 Learning Cities for its work in lifelong learning.
Speaking about the achievement, the Lord Mayor said: “As first citizen, I am proud to represent Cork as a city committed to lifelong learning. Since 2002, our two universities and Cork Education and Training Board have joined the City Council in setting Cork as a learning city.
“Through all our collective efforts since then, including hosting the 2017 International Conference on Learning Cities, Cork has consistently promoted lifelong learning as a means of individual, community and city development, and importantly we commit to leave no-one behind,” he added.
The visit by Ms Kempf, also coincided with the 20th anniversary of Cork's Lifelong Learning Festival. She commended Cork’s second award, describing it as a “remarkable achievement”.
“This year’s UNESCO Learning City Awardees demonstrate the transformative potential of lifelong learning in addressing our world’s most pressing challenges. I warmly congratulate the UNESCO Learning City of Cork on this well-earned award,” she said.
“Cork serves as an inspiring example of how lifelong learning empowers citizens of all ages and backgrounds,” she added.
She emphasised that this year’s winning cities prove lifelong learning helps communities “adapt, innovate, and collaborate” on global challenges.
The city was praised in a UNESCO statement for initiatives such as the Lifelong Learning Festival, along with its efforts to support the Traveller and Roma communities and cross-border Our Shared Island project promoting cultural understanding and peace.
Willie McAuliffe, Festival Chairperson, was also recognised by Minister of State Jerry Buttimer, who said: “The Learning Festival – ‘an Féile Foghlama’ has been the foundation stone in Cork’s development as an Internationally recognised Learning City.”
“The members of that first festival committee, and all those who played their part since deserve huge thanks and appreciation for making our city a better place to live and learn,” he added.