UNESCO Learning Cities in the UK

Bristol is a great place to learn. Its schools are better than ever and its universities are world-class. However, it is also clear that Bristol is a city of contrasts and not everyone has the same opportunity to learn and prosper. Bristol Learning City wants everyone to be proud to learn throughout their lives, and is committed to creating and promoting learning opportunities for everyone.

Derby’s ambition is to deliver a successful sustainable future where its residents are supported to realize their full potential. Membership of UNESCO GNLC is pivotal in delivering on this ambition. As a member of the GNLC, key stakeholders within Derby will work together to deliver an annual Festival of Learning that will seek contributions from communities across the city to share further and encourage lifelong learning.

As a learning city, Derry City and Strabane Region want to increase participation in learning in all citizens by creating learning networks with local neighbourhoods, businesses, community groups, schools and colleges. All stakeholders will take ownership of the learning city brand; by continuing to work collaboratively, they will be able to create a connected learning city which provides learning opportunities for everyone.

Glasgow’s vision is to have a world-class city with a thriving and inclusive economy where everyone can flourish and benefit from the city’s success. This vision means a growing economy that creates jobs and investment, builds on Glasgow’s position as a world-class city to tackle poverty, poor health and improves neighbourhoods. Glasgow believes in the transformational power of lifelong learning to empower citizens and build a prosperous city where all Glaswegians have access to development opportunities and celebrate learning across the lifespan.

Home to diverse and vibrant communities with strong identities and a rich cultural heritage that centres on textiles and music, Kirklees is known for its high-quality education provision and enduring strengths in advanced manufacturing and engineering. The city’s 2030 Vision adopts a place-based approach, enabling everyone to build the skills, knowledge and confidence to take part in shaping the places where they live, work and play. There is a focus on early years and adult and community learning, quality and inclusive education, and vulnerable children.

Manchester is a thriving and diverse city, known as a ‘city of firsts’ in recognition of its innovative history dating back to the Industrial Revolution. Manchester is an international and outward looking city with learning at the heart of Manchester’s thriving and inclusive community, and is embedded in its history, schools, colleges, libraries, and universities. Lifelong learning across the city is led by the Manchester Adult Skills Network, a strategic network consisting of public and civil service departments, universities, housing, training providers and more who collectively represent, engage with, and advocate for, Manchester’s residents.

When it comes to learning Swansea Learning City does don’t do ‘standing still’; they never have. As a learning city, they have a thirst for continual innovation, research, development and improvement. Swansea Learning City is creating an entrepreneurial culture that develops the regional economy and create a sustainable quality of life for all. Swansea will address barriers to participation, narrow the gap between rich and poor, enhance social cohesion and develop a thriving knowledge economy.

The City of Wolverhampton believes the key to personal, community and regional growth lies in the transformative power of learning to improve prosperity for all – learning of all types, at all levels and for all reasons. Wolverhampton Learning City is putting learning at the heart of its plans for the city to fulfill its citizens aspirations, create a more effective and skilled workforce, and engage adults in learning to improve health and wellbeing.