UNESCO 4th International Conference on Learning Cities

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr John Sheehan spoke at the opening ceremony of the recent UNESCO 4th International Conference on Learning Cities in Medellin, Colombia.  The Lord Mayor was honoured by the Colombian hosts who also arranged a private meeting between the first citizen of Cork and the President of Colombia, Iván Duque Marquez. Both men took the opportunity to strengthen connections between Ireland and Colombia; discussing the deep historical ties between the two countries including recent events in Cork city commemorating the South American hero, Daniel Florence O’Leary, a native of Barracks Street, Cork City. 

Following the meeting the Lord Mayor addressed the crowd of over 500 international delegates. He shared the stage with the Colombian President Mr. Marquez, David Atchoarena Director of UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning and Federico Gutierrez Mayor of Medellin. Cork was afforded this honour in recognition of the cities role as the first European host to the UNESCO Global conference in 2017. Cork is a world leader in embracing and promoting Lifelong Learning; one of only 38 global cities recognised to date by a UNESCO Learning City award.

A distinguished Cork delegation joined Federico Gutierrez for the first conference session; Prof. Pat O’Shea (UCC President), Áine Ní  Shé (CIT Registrar & Deputy President), Denis Leamy (CETB Chief Executive) and Adrienne Rodgers (Cork City Council Director of Service) shared the stage as representatives of the strong partnership that drives the successful Cork Learning City project. The session focused on inclusion in Education and Learning with examples from all over Cork including ongoing work of ‘Music Generation Cork’ a project bringing music skills to children who could otherwise not afford tutoring and ongoing collaborations with UCC CIT and the justice service.

Cork city has a strong track record in social inclusion; the Cork Learning City office plays its part in promoting lifelong learning and supporting access to education for all through projects such as the long running Cork Lifelong Learning Festival, Learning Neighbourhoods and Learning Workplaces.  The UNESCO Global Conference on Learning Cities is held every two years and Cork has been centrally involved in all 4 conferences to date.  Federico Gutierrez, mayor of Medellín and co-host of the fourth ICLC said ‘We are honoured to have Cork join us here, who hosted a wonderful conference two years ago’. He explained the key to his city’s success: ‘Only with education do we close the social gaps. Only with education do we overcome the vicious circle of violence and poverty. In Medellín, we invest in opportunities endorsed by its citizens. Medellín is a city that is known for rising from its darkest hours. Its people have found in education a possibility of resilience and transformation.’

Denis Barrett Coordinator of the Cork Learning City Project said ‘Plans are underway to host our third ‘Cork Conversations’ conference as part of the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival 2020. Many of the UNESCO Learning Cities look towards Cork as a model of best practice and our central presence at this years Global conference in Colombia has strengthened Corks standing in this area. We are respected as a city that recognises and values lifelong learning for all our citizens.  Cork will play host to delegates from Colombia, Korea and beyond for our ‘Cork Conversations’ event on Thursday 2nd April 2020 .’