UNESCO Honors 10 Cities with Learning City Award 2024
UNESCO awarded the 2024 Learning City Award to ten cities globally for exemplary advancements in lifelong learning. Cities like Benguerir and Cork showcased commitment to inclusive education, effective policies, and innovative practices. This recognition aims to inspire worldwide urban areas to prioritize lifelong learning for sustainable development, promoting citizen empowerment and collaboration.
HASSAN BENYOUB 
In a significant recognition of global efforts to promote lifelong learning, UNESCO has announced the recipients of its prestigious Learning City Award for 2024. Ten cities from around the world have been honored for their outstanding achievements in fostering inclusive and innovative educational opportunities for their citizens.
Award-Winning Cities
The UNESCO Learning City Award 2024 has been conferred upon:
- Benguerir, Morocco
- Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire
- Cork, Ireland
- Cuenca, Ecuador
- Doha, Qatar
- Eunpyeong-gu, Republic of Korea
- Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Querétaro, Mexico
- Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- Yanbu Industrial City, Saudi Arabia
Commitment to Lifelong Learning
These cities, representing diverse regions and cultures, have demonstrated exceptional dedication to creating environments where learning thrives at all levels. From large metropolises to smaller urban areas, each recipient has shown how effective policies and programs can empower citizens of all ages through continuous learning opportunities.
Selection Process and Criteria
The awardees were carefully selected by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) based on recommendations from an independent jury of international experts. The selection criteria included:
- Advancement of learning city plans
- Progress in stakeholder coordination and partnerships
- Effective resource mobilization and utilization
- Improvements in monitoring and evaluation of learning city development
- Ensuring accessibility of learning for all citizens
- Fostering a culture of lifelong learning
- Advancement of innovative practices
- Contributions to UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) activities
Impact and Future Prospects
This recognition not only celebrates the achievements of these cities but also sets a benchmark for urban areas worldwide. As Isabell Kempf, Director of UIL, stated, "The 2024 UNESCO Learning City Awardees demonstrate the power of lifelong learning to enable citizens to adapt, innovate and collaborate on solutions to our planet's most pressing challenges".
The award ceremony, marking the opening of the Sixth International Conference on Learning Cities in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, serves as a platform for these cities to share their successful strategies and inspire others in the global community to prioritize lifelong learning as a key driver of sustainable urban development.
