Bold vision and collaborative spirit
This dual recognition is a testament to the city’s bold vision and collaborative spirit, with international peers commending Manchester’s innovative strategies, inclusive approach and proven success in fostering lifelong learning and literary excellence.
“This dual recognition is a powerful endorsement of our long-term vision for Manchester,” said Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council. “The Our Manchester Strategy 2025-2035 is about working together to build a city where everyone can thrive. The dual UNESCO status shows that our ambition and collective efforts are having a positive impact locally, whilst being recognised on the world stage as a leader across the arts, culture and education”.
Cross-cultural partnership
This month Manchester welcomed colleagues from Nanjing UNESCO City of Literature in China, to the Manchester Festival of Libraries to celebrate the success of this collaborative cross-cultural partnership, funded by the British Council’s International Collaboration Grants.
At the events, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Anna Nsubuga, spoke about the power of cross-cultural collaboration. Vice Chancellors from both Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Manchester, a spokesperson for British Council, and poets Han Dong and Charlotte Shevchenko Knight also took to the stage to share what this project means for the partnership between the cities.
Artistic Exchange
The reception was the culmination of a nine-month artistic exchange exploring the natural world through literature. A new bilingual anthology of poetry, artworks and plays was debuted by the artists from both cities in Manchester.
The six artists include a Forward Prize shortlisted poet, two award-winning TV and script writers, one of China’s most revered poets, founding member of the Nanjing Calligraphy Academy and a Programme Leader at MMU. The artists collaborated online and in-person when the Manchester artists were hosted in Nanjing in March this year.
Ivan Wadeson, Executive Director of Manchester City of Literature said,
“As a UNESCO City of Literature, we are also able to use our global connections to bring international artists to Greater Manchester to enrich the festival further. I am delighted that this year we have artists from our sister Cities of Literature Québec City, Nanjing and Tartu taking part and alongside the professional artists we have linked schools in Manchester and Nanjing through our Real Contentment Young People’s Exhibition.
Huge thanks to Arts Council England and the British Council International Collaboration Grants for their support to make this happen, alongside the regular funders of Manchester City of Literature: Manchester City Council, the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.”
Jill Griffiths, Head of the School of Digital Arts and Academic Lead for Lifelong Learning at Manchester Metropolitan University, said:
“It’s a privilege to host the event at Manchester Metropolitan University in celebration of the UNESCO City of Lifelong Learning and City of Literature designations.
Working in partnership with Manchester City Council and The University of Manchester to attain these designations is a reflection of the collaborative ethos of the city and Manchester Met, and this event, which also took place during the Festival of Libraries, was a vibrant celebration showcasing the breadth and depth of our creative and cultural offering alongside our commitment to making lifelong learning a reality for everybody within Manchester."
School engagement programme
In the ethos of lifelong learning and inter-cultural exchange, a school engagement programme involving Year 3-6 pupils from Manchester and Nanjing schools has culminated in an exhibition of artwork and writing by young people.
The UNESCO City of Lifelong Learning designation was given to Manchester in February 2024. Since then, the partnership has launched over 90 projects, delivered events reaching 14,000 learners, and over 2,000 learning and skills specialists have attended professional development events.
Professor Ang Davies, Academic Lead for Lifelong Learning at University of Manchester said:
“We are extremely proud to join the UNESCO family of Learning Cities and have already made many connections in the UK and beyond. Within the University we strive to develop inclusive, equitable and valued education that supports both personal and professional development.
By working closely with our partners including Manchester City Council and Manchester Metropolitan University we will support sustainable economic, social and cultural development of our city region through lifelong learning”.
