UNESCO Learning City Awardee 2021Dublin, Republic of Ireland
In 2021, the city of
Dublin received the UNESCO Learning City Award for outstanding progress
in providing lifelong learning opportunities for the over 1.4 million inhabitants of Dublin.
Investing in human capital
Investing in human capital is crucial to Dublin’s successful development,
and lifelong learning is key to this endeavour.
As a learning city since 2019, Dublin has pursued the principle of ‘learning for work, life and fun’ through wide-ranging initiatives coordinated by six local colleges and institutes together with further partners.
As a learning city since 2019, Dublin has pursued the principle of ‘learning for work, life and fun’ through wide-ranging initiatives coordinated by six local colleges and institutes together with further partners.
A collaborative project
University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, the Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, the Marino Institute of Education, the National College of Art and Design and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland collaboratively promote and advance lifelong learning in the city. The Dublin City Council and Education and Training Boards are close partners.
Scroll down to discover some of the activities taking place in the learning city of Dublin!
Scroll down to discover some of the activities taking place in the learning city of Dublin!
Alison GillilandLord Mayor of Dublin
Higher education for everyone
The Dublin 'Your Place is Here' campaign encourages enrolment in higher education regardless of educational background, age or individual circumstances. It highlights a range of support available to help potential students find their place in higher education.
The campaign has played a significant role in advancing the learning city agenda in Dublin.
The campaign has played a significant role in advancing the learning city agenda in Dublin.
Pat FitzsimonsGraduate of the Institute of Art Design + Technology College
Open learning
When it comes to learning, everyone's journey is different. Some people are just starting out in education, some wish to reinvent their careers, and others take courses for the pure love of learning.
The Dublin Open Learning programme caters for all kinds of students. It fits around participants’ daily schedules and gives them all of the benefits of being a full-time student without requiring them to commit full-time.
With the right course credits, the programme can also qualify students to apply for entry to undergraduate degrees at University College Dublin.
The Dublin Open Learning programme caters for all kinds of students. It fits around participants’ daily schedules and gives them all of the benefits of being a full-time student without requiring them to commit full-time.
With the right course credits, the programme can also qualify students to apply for entry to undergraduate degrees at University College Dublin.
Bairbre FlemingUniversity College Dublin
Learning for health and well-being
The city of Dublin is
committed to improving citizens' health and well-being. Its Healthy
Dublin City initiative has placed the issue high on the agenda.
Citizens of Dublin learn how to lead healthy lives through six key courses: Keeping Well, Keeping Active, Eating Well, Managing your Mood, Switching Off, and Keeping in Contact.
Citizens of Dublin learn how to lead healthy lives through six key courses: Keeping Well, Keeping Active, Eating Well, Managing your Mood, Switching Off, and Keeping in Contact.
International collaboration
As a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities cluster on health and well-being, Dublin shares its experiences with cities from across the globe and in turn learns from them.
The city strives to bring citizens and elected representatives from different countries and cultures closer together by fostering international cooperation. To pursue its goal of building a stable and sustainable cooperation framework, Dublin has established bonds of mutual trust and understanding with a number of international cities including Barcelona, San Jose, Liverpool, Beijing and St. Petersburg.
The city strives to bring citizens and elected representatives from different countries and cultures closer together by fostering international cooperation. To pursue its goal of building a stable and sustainable cooperation framework, Dublin has established bonds of mutual trust and understanding with a number of international cities including Barcelona, San Jose, Liverpool, Beijing and St. Petersburg.
Reaching out to everyone
The City of Dublin Education and Training Board provides, supports and co-ordinates a comprehensive range of professional high-quality education, training and youth services across the city.
Over 3,200 staff work with up to 30,000 learners in post-primary education, further education, and training & youth services.
In addition to schools and colleges, Youthreach centres, training centres and an adult education service, the Board also provides educational services for prisons in Dublin, and funds a range of community training centres and local training initiatives.
Over 3,200 staff work with up to 30,000 learners in post-primary education, further education, and training & youth services.
In addition to schools and colleges, Youthreach centres, training centres and an adult education service, the Board also provides educational services for prisons in Dublin, and funds a range of community training centres and local training initiatives.
Learning in prisons
7,000 inmates in seven Dublin prisons currently
benefit from learning programmes, ranging from basic education to degree level.
The programme places a particularly strong emphasis on literacy and creative
arts such as art, music, drama and writing.
The city focuses in particular on easing learners’ transition from prison to education programmes through initiatives such as Pathways, which facilitates former prisoners’ re-entry into society, and Bridge, an intensive probation supervision scheme in which young adult persistent offenders from the Dublin area participate in a community-based programme.
The city focuses in particular on easing learners’ transition from prison to education programmes through initiatives such as Pathways, which facilitates former prisoners’ re-entry into society, and Bridge, an intensive probation supervision scheme in which young adult persistent offenders from the Dublin area participate in a community-based programme.
Celebrating lifelong learning
For three days every year, the Dublin Learning City Festival offers an exciting line-up of free events, showcasing a large selection of creative workshops and fun activities.
The Festival covers issues of crucial importance to learning cities, including health and the environment; equity and inclusion; and entrepreneurship. In 2021, it took place virtually and hosted more than 200 online events led by over 100 organizations.
The Dublin Learning Festival showcases the wide range of learning programmes the city has to offer – reaching out to young and old regardless of socio-economic background.
The Festival covers issues of crucial importance to learning cities, including health and the environment; equity and inclusion; and entrepreneurship. In 2021, it took place virtually and hosted more than 200 online events led by over 100 organizations.
The Dublin Learning Festival showcases the wide range of learning programmes the city has to offer – reaching out to young and old regardless of socio-economic background.
Further information about theUNESCO Learning City of Dublin
The UNESCO Learning City Awards
The UNESCO Learning City Award was established to further promote lifelong learning for all and showcase good practices in building learning cities. It is conferred on cities that have achieved outstanding progress in this regard. All awardee cities have demonstrated best practices that lay the foundation for sustainable development.
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) supports and improves the practice of lifelong learning in member cities by promoting policy dialogue and peer learning, documenting effective strategies and good practice, fostering partnerships, providing capacity development, and developing tools and instruments to design, implement and monitor learning cities strategies.
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Credits: © Pexels / Lukas Kloeppel; City of Dublin; Getty Images / wakila; Getty Images / lisafx
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Credits: © Pexels / Lukas Kloeppel; City of Dublin; Getty Images / wakila; Getty Images / lisafx
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Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Investing in human capital
A collaborative project
Alison Gilliland
Higher education for everyone
Pat Fitzsimons
Open learning
Bairbre Fleming
Learning for health and well-being
International collaboration
Reaching out to everyone
Learning in prisons
Celebrating lifelong learning
UNESCO Learning City of Dublin
The UNESCO Learning City Awards
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities