Durham joins UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities

Durham has joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, continuing its long history as a significant site of scholarship and learning for over a thousand years.

This is the third time UNESCO has recognised Durham. Learning City status follows recognition of Durham Castle and Cathedral as a World Heritage Site in 1986 and the appointment of a UNESCO chair (Professor) in Cultural Heritage at Durham University in 2014.

The award 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 outside the classroom.

Durham is one of 12 such designated cities in the UK. Through the network it will share knowledge, skills, and create opportunities for exchange with other Learning Cities globally.

The aim is to bring partners together to revitalise learning in families and communities, facilitate workplace learning, and extend the use of digital technologies to enhance education. 

Work will focus on there areas: sustainability and health, equity and inclusion, and supporting decent (fair) work and entrepreneurship.

The bid to join the global network was led by Durham Castle and Cathedral World Heritage Site Partnership, working with educational and community-based learning and skills providers from across Durham.

Examples of initiatives behind Durham’s success in achieving GNLC membership include:

• The Digital Durham strategy to improve infrastructure and adult digital skills, provide free training, strengthen apprenticeship pathways and support new business start-ups.

• The Climate Action Durham plan to embed climate education for all, including looking after more than 1,000 hectares of the River Wear, implementing green energy projects across the City and linking environmental care with community wellbeing through research and volunteering.

• Durham’s City of Sanctuary helping refugees and asylum seekers access post-16 education, supporting interfaith and cultural events to broaden participation and give communities ownership of the City’s cultural life.

Front (L-R): Dr Anne Allen, Durham World Heritage Site Manager; Durham Sixth Form College student Millie Winch; Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden, Durham University; Durham’s Mayor Councillor Gary Hutchinson; Professor Simon Oliver, Durham Cathedral Institute; Durham Sixth Form College student Amber Walshaw; and Ellen Beveridge, Principal, Durham Sixth Form College.

Main image: Graeme Peacock