Durham has joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, continuing its long history as a significant site of scholarship and learning for over 1,000 years.
Learning City membership recognises Durham's outstanding commitment to making the right to education, learning and skills development a reality for everyone of all ages, both inside and beyond the classroom.
Durham is one of 12 Learning Cities in the UK.
There are 425 Learning Cities across 91 countries globally, supporting lifelong learning opportunities for 500 million people. These include Beijing (China) Buenos Aires (Argentina), Cairo (Egypt), and Edmonton (Canada).
Sharing knowledge and creating opportunities
Through the network, Durham will share knowledge, skills, and create opportunities for exchange with other Learning Cities globally.
The aim is to revitalise learning in families and communities, facilitate workplace learning, and extend the use of digital technologies to enhance education.
Work will focus on three areas: sustainability and health, equity and inclusion, and supporting decent (fair) work and entrepreneurship.
Our commitment to education
At Durham University, our work inspires people in Durham and the wider region to take part in education and benefits them by impacting education policy.
Since 2010 more than 71,000 visitors have shared in the excitement of our free, annual Celebrate Science festival, inspiring young minds and encouraging exploration through fun and practical learning.
Light Years connects research with creativity so people of all ages can explore the Universe and discover opportunities within the North East's growing space industry.
Work by Arlene Holmes-Henderson, Professor of Classics Education and Public Policy, aims to improve young people's spoken language and listening skills at school. Her work on oracy was picked up in the UK Government's recent Curriculum and Assessment Review.
The Durham Commission on Creativity and Education, led by the late Professor Simon James, formerly of our English Studies Department, developed a vision for promoting creativity in education. Earlier this year a report, also involving Professor James, called for more creativity in schools to boost opportunities for all.
School of Education research is positively impacting regional, national policy, and is shaping how funding for children, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, is spent effectively.
A hat-trick of UNESCO recognition
This is the third time UNESCO has recognised Durham.
Learning City membership follows recognition of Durham Castle - home to University College - and Durham Cathedral as a World Heritage Site in 1986.
In 2014, Professor Robin Coningham, in our Department of Archaeology, was appointed as a UNESCO chair in Cultural Heritage.
Durham has a long, rich history of learning and cultural excellence. This additional UNESCO recognition ensures that this legacy will continue long into the future. We will work with partners locally and globally so that everyone in our city and region can access education, learning and skills opportunities and the life-changing benefits they bring.
