UNESCO learning cities' responses to COVID-19
When the COVID-19 global pandemic hit in 2020, governments around the world temporarily closed educational institutions in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus. But how did learning continue for young and old during this time?
The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) called on its network of 229 UNESCO learning cities to provide insights into their particular handling of the situation. During a UIL webinar series in 2020, they jointly developed strategies and exchanged information about good practices to ensure that learning did not stop.
In our new publication Snapshots of learning cities’ responses to COVID-19, we showcase local responses to COVID-19. The city of Milan in Italy provided one of them.
The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) called on its network of 229 UNESCO learning cities to provide insights into their particular handling of the situation. During a UIL webinar series in 2020, they jointly developed strategies and exchanged information about good practices to ensure that learning did not stop.
In our new publication Snapshots of learning cities’ responses to COVID-19, we showcase local responses to COVID-19. The city of Milan in Italy provided one of them.
Milan, Italy
As part of its Adaptation Strategy for 2020, Milan introduced the ‘15-minute’ initiative, the aim of which is to ensure the proximity of public services to the city’s inhabitants, minimize movement (and therefore the risk of spreading the coronavirus) and reduce inequalities between neighbourhoods.This strategy, government officials say, must be part of the ‘new normal’; that is, life post- COVID-19 and beyond.
Mr Piero PelizzaroChief Resilience Officer, UNESCO learning city of Milan
Targeting all citizens
The initiative targets all citizens, especially those living in outlying neighbourhoods and where local services are insufficient. Though introduced in 2013, the initiative was implemented as part of the Milan City Masterplan in 2019. And while its saliency increased during the COVID-19 lockdown and recovery phase, the measure is expected to create a better and more inclusive city overall.
Digital Technology
In an effort to expand its public and private services during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond, the city has invested in digital technology; introduced summer schools offering both educational and recreational activities for both children and adults; and partnered with other cities in the Lombardy region to deliver healthcare to high-density residential areas with large elderly populations.
The Milan 2020 Adaptation Strategy
The strategy has been developed as a public participation process and, as such, is still under development. To date, local residents have submitted over 2,900 suggestions, which are now being read and integrated into the final plan.
Challenges: Changing habits
Historically, the provision of services in Milan has been centralized and residents of the outlying areas had to commute to the city centre to access amenities. The Milanese are therefore used to gathering in central areas where services are available.
Challenges: Limited resources
Social and urban degradation poses a challenge: Milan’s outermost areas are often neglected. It is therefore of fundamental importance to increase the attractiveness of the public spaces in these neighbourhoods if the strategy is to be a success. Doing so calls for increased spending and time; however, COVID-19-related economic instability has left the city with limited economic resources to finance interventions.
Learn more!
Find more cases in our publication Snapshots of learning cities’ responses to COVID-19
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.
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Photos courtesy of © Getty Images / KavalenkavaVolha; City of Milan, Italy; Getty Images / godrick; Getty Images / Pollyana Ventura; Pexels / Element5 Digita
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Photos courtesy of © Getty Images / KavalenkavaVolha; City of Milan, Italy; Getty Images / godrick; Getty Images / Pollyana Ventura; Pexels / Element5 Digita
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UNESCO learning cities' responses to COVID-19
Milan, Italy
Mr Piero Pelizzaro
Targeting all citizens
Digital Technology
The Milan 2020 Adaptation Strategy
Challenges: Changing habits
Challenges: Limited resources
Learn more!
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities