Meeting of the European and North American Network and International Learning Cities Seminar, Cork, April 2026.
Learning Limerick Chairperson, Michael MacCurtain and Lifelong Learning Facilitator Yvonne Lane were delighted to participate in the European and North American Network of Learning Cities meeting and Lord Mayor’s reception hosted by Cork Learning City on Thursday 23rd April. These events were held as part of Cork’s Lifelong Learning Festival celebrations. It was great to connect with the other UNESCO Learning Cities from around the world.
The workshop for the European and North American Network was the second meeting of this group. The first meeting was held in Evry Courcouronnes, France last September and Limerick was represented by our Chairperson Michael MacCurtain. Fourteen cities participated in that inaugural meeting. At that meeting some of the cities’ initiatives were shared and Michael gave a presentation on Learning Limerick and the Learning Limerick Ambassadors project. In order for cities to contribute to the co-construction of the future Network, the next session was convened during the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival on 23–24 April 2026. The workshop on 23rd April was organised in a hybrid format to further discuss the report from Evry Courcouronnes, consolidate the strategic orientations of the network, and prepare the drafting of a Charter, which will serve as the network’s overarching framework document.
On 24th April, there was an International Seminar and exchange of best practice. Some of the cities represented and presenting at the seminar were from the Irish Network and from the other countries of Finland, Spain, France, Netherlands, Romania and USA.
Nina Deljarrie of the Unesco Insitute of Lifelong Learning gave a keynote address and highlighted how Learning Cities are at the centre of creating peace; and communities building this everyday be rejecting inequalities. The Global Network of Learning Cities was set up by UNESCO in 2013 and has grown to now include 425 cities from 91 countries; reaching 500 million people worldwide.
Linking with the introduction from Nina, the discussion theme for the first half of the morning focused on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 – “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”. One of the Cork projects presented was from Mags McDonagh of Cork Education and Training Board; who spoke about the work of the Dillons Cross Project. This project was set up to support female relatives of prisoners and ex-prisoners; and provides educational opportunities.
Our own Lifelong Learning Facilitator, Yvonne Lane presented on Learning Limerick and how our partners work together effectively to ensure that lifelong learning remains a visible and accessible reality for all across Limerick; with all partners carrying an equal voice in key decision making. Yvonne also highlighted how our new Strategic Plan 2026 – 2030 will guide how the partners work together over the next five years.
We also heard about the work of Don Tracy, Director and Interim Dean for Continuing Education Division at Austin Community College (ACC) in Texas, focusing on skills development, community education and correctional education programs. He has worked in Central Texas for over 25 years and is heavily involved in initiatives to train workers and reduce recidivism rates.
The work of the other cities in the Irish Network was also profiled. Mary Maher of one of the Dublin’s Learning Neighbourhoods – in Dublin’s North Inner City, spoke about linking the work throughout the year with an end of year celebration and showcase; affirming the work of the community practitioners and achievements of learners.
Thank you to our Cork Learning City hosts, Denis Barrett, James Leonard and Catherine Sheahen. We look forward to the International Learning Cities Seminar again next year in Cork and to the next meeting of the European and North American Network of Learning Cities.
Share this on...