Irish Learning Cities Day - 29th September 2022

Irish Learning Cities Day - 29th September 2022

Cork celebrates learning with partners across the island North and South

The Irish Network of Learning Cities promote the network of Irish Learning Cities through ‘Learning Cities Day’, a joint initiative to promote learning across the cities, the city regions and the island of Ireland.

Signed in 2019 and re-signed in 2022, the Lord Mayors of Cork, Dublin and Belfast and the Mayors of Limerick and Derry City and Strabane Region formally committed each city to work together and provide mutual support to help deliver on the vision of a Learning City for all citizens.

In this “Learning Cities Day” on September 29th 2022, the five learning cities and regions are working together to show how the Network benefits all five cities and adds value to the efforts of individual cities.  As a network we work together to celebrate learning, highlight what’s on offer across the cities and city regions and we want to celebrate the achievements of learners. 

Please use our social media channels, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with what’s happening, please join in and let us hear your stories and tell us about the opportunities in your area/organisation. 

We want to put some fun back into learning and encourage everyone to try something new!

Here’s the programme of Events for Cork City:

  • 10:30am – 11:30am, Lifelong Learning Policy and Strategy Keynote , University College Cork, Dora Allman Room

    ‘Learning Cities Driving a Lifelong Learning Agenda to meet Global Challenges’

    Mr. Raúl Valdes Cotera, Lifelong Learning Policies and Strategies Programme, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning

  • 11:00am, Simon Community Graduation Ceremony, Millennium Hall, Cork City Council (Invite only)

  • 1:00pm South Parish Sustainability Walk & Talk, Cork City Hall 

Join Maria Young for a walk and talk through South Parish demonstrating what can be done to support wildlife and sustainability in the city centre. The walk will take in a visit to Parkowen and Nano Nagle Place with information on what can be done to support wildlife in the city centre. Find out about the bees on the roof of Cork College of FET, Hedgerows, flower beds for biodiversity, composting, bug hotels and community gardening. Visit the tree nursery, a medicinal bed, a dye garden and discover what ‘Wilding’ is Information available about the necklace of green sites stretching from the Lough to the City Hall finishing up at the parklet outside Cork Flower Studio

  • 3:15pm, Learning Neighbourhoods recognition event, Council Chambers, Cork City Hall

    • This event will recognise and celebrate the work of our Learning Neighbourhoods over the past year. Lord Mayor, Cllr. Deirdre Forde will be in attendance to present certificates of participation to each of our neighbourhoods.

    • 4:00pm ASEM VIP Civic Reception, Council Chambers, Cork City Hall

    Visiting delegateshosted by Lord Mayor, Cllr Deirdre Ford. (Invite Only)

    • 5:00pm We Are Cork: Stories from a Diverse City, Millenium Hall, Cork City Hall

      • This is a collection of stories of integration in Cork City, capturing the perspective of those with lived experience of migrating to Ireland and finding a new home in Cork City. We hope that this report will celebrate the lives of all those who have made Cork City their home and spark discussions of how we can continue to improve integration measures. The event will include contributions from Ann Doherty, Chief Executive of Cork City Council, report author Cecilia Amabo and two participants in the research, amongst others.

        light refreshments will be available

      • 6:30pm, Annual Alfred O’Rahilly Public Lecture, University College Cork, Devere Hall

        • Lecture by Professor Arne Carlsen (Former Director UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning/ Chair ASEM LLL HUB)

        • 7:30pm, Bertram Windle Award, University College Cork, Devere Hall

        Award given to Professor Maria Slowey for outstanding achievements in lifelong learning and adult education.

        • 8:30pm, Formal Close of ASEM Global Lifelong Learning Week, UCC, Dora Allman Room