UNESCO Fifth International Conference on Learning Cities, 27–30 October 2021, Yeonsu, Republic of Korea; with related special event: UNESCO Learning Cities Awards 2021
With over half of humanity currently residing in urban areas, cities are key to providing learning opportunities for young and old alike. In that spirit, from 27 to 30 October 2021, the fifth International Conference on Learning Cities will bring together in Yeonsu, Republic of Korea, hundreds of UNESCO ‘learning city’ representatives, who will gather, both in-person and virtually, to discuss how learning can help to build healthy and resilient cities, and how such metropolitan learning communities can make new progress in the post-COVID-19 era.
Distinguished speakers will include Yoo Eun-hae, Minister of Education and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea; Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education; Ban Ki-Moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations; David Nabarro, the World Health Organization Special Envoy for COVID-19; and city mayors from around the world. The conference will be held in hybrid mode with in situ debates taking place in the host city of Yeonsu.
Media representatives are invited to attend the conference.
Special Event: UNESCO Learning Cities Award 2021 (hybrid session, 27 October 2021, 18.00–20.00 GMT+9)
10 UNESCO Learning Cities worldwide will receive the UNESCO Learning Cities Award 2021 for outstanding recent progress in making lifelong learning a reality for their citizens. Distinguished awardees from the the Asia-Pacific region this cycle comprise Osan (Republic of Korea), Shanghai (China) and Wyndham (Australia).
Livestream: English, French, Spanish
Press conference (hybrid session, 27 October 2021, 11.00–11.30 GMT+9)
Speakers:
- David Atchoarena, Director, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, Hamburg
- Ko Nam-seok, Mayor of Yeonsu, Republic of Korea
The session will be followed by a lunch. Interviews can be scheduled on request.
Press conference registration: k.roemer@unesco.org
Conference opening (hybrid session, Thurs, 28 October 2021, 14.00–15.15 GMT+9)
Speakers will include:
- Yoo Eun-hae, Minister of Education and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea
- Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education
- Ban Ki-Moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations
- David Nabarro, World Health Organization Special Envoy for COVID-19
- Ko Nam-seok, Mayor of Yeonsu, Republic of Korea
Download full conference programme
About the Global Network of Learning Cities
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) is an international, policy-oriented network whose members benefit from the sharing of lifelong learning policies and practices; the production and exchange of knowledge on key challenges and solutions; capacity-building and training initiatives; and participation in global events such as the biennial (since 2013) International Conference on Learning Cities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the 229 members of the network have worked closely together to share best practices, and strategies and activities so as to minimize disruptions to learning caused by the pandemic and the resulting periodic metropolitan lockdowns.
Further information:
- Fifth International Conference on Learning Cities (27–30 October 2021)
- UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Media contacts:
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, Katja Römer, k.roemer@unesco.org, +49 (0) 171 981 0601
Yeonsu City: Daewoon Baek, white8319@korea.kr, +82 10 7708 8319
