The Irish Network of Learning Cities
What is the Irish Network of Learning Cities?
The Irish Network of Learning Cities (INLC) is a five-city joint initiative to promote learning across the cities, the city regions and the island of Ireland. The cities include Limerick, Cork, Belfast, Derry and Dublin. The network was formed in November 2019 following a Learning Cities Conversations event in Cork.
What is the aim of the Irish Network of Learning Cities?
The INLC aims to ensure a shared dedication to strengthening friendly relations and enhancing cooperation between the peoples of the cities and city regions. Since the Lord Mayors of Belfast, Cork, Dublin and the Mayors of Limerick and Derry City and Strabane Region signed a formal agreement called a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2019 (re-signed in 2022), each city works together to provide mutual support in delivering on the vision of a learning city for all citizens.
In line with the mission of the UNESCO GNLC, the network shares learning and best practice, and supports each other on issues of common interest, contributing to lifelong learning and to the health and wellbeing as well as to employment and skills of people across the Island of Ireland.
What events has the Irish Network of Learning Cities been involved with?
- Annual Irish Learning Cities Day launching a series of collaborative videos with each of the Mayors and Lord Mayors of the five cities.
- International webinar event as part of the Global Learning Festival annually.
- Quarterly Network meetings hosted by each city in turn and bi-weekly co-ordinators’ meetings.
- Joint support and participation in each city’s Lifelong Learning Festival’s Flagship Event
- Collaboration and support for each other as members of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) – UNESCO conference, anniversary celebrations and celebrating UNESCO Learning City Award achievements and more.
Written by Michael Corcoran
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