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 UNESCO learning city of Puebla, Mexico, 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 UNESCO learning city of Puebla, Mexico, provided one of them.
Puebla, Mexico
When the pandemic reached Puebla, in Mexico, the municipality approached local designers, creative firms and representatives of the creative community to develop innovative projects to help the city cope with the effects of COVID-19. In response, more than 150 creatives from across the country – including those from educational institutions and entrepreneurs – participated in the initiative.
Creative initiatives
‘Creative initiatives against COVID-19’ is designed to generate responses to the emergency, foster individual expression and learning, and help the community reflect on the causes and effects of COVID-19. Moreover, the programme aims to provide further learning opportunities to university students and entrepreneurs and develop individual capacities to start ventures that will have a positive social impact in Puebla.
Mr Luis González-ArenalChief Executive Coordinator of the Mexican Cities of Learning Network
International Collaboration
The programme began in the second week of April 2020 at the initiative of representatives of local universities and Puebla’s Commission for Innovation and Design. The call was designed and launched at the international level with the help of representatives of the UNESCO Cities of Design Network.
Funding
A fund of more than EUR 40,000 (about USD 48,000) was established in conjunction with the City of Puebla for a select set of projects. Directors of creative companies and teachers from the university consortium formed an evaluation committee that assessed 50 projects and identified three to be financed.
Challenge: Financial resources
During the development of the programme, it was difficult to secure financial resources: the annual budget assigned to the city and the commission was cut by 70 per cent and reallocated to purchasing medical supplies and supporting social assistance. This cut forced organizers to rethink the scope of the programme.
Challenge: Health regulations and participation
Organizers had to contend with very strict health regulations, which rendered several innovative projects ineligible for authorization from the health authorities.
For those projects that were feasible, the participation of local companies and students was limited due to the closure of universities and companies, and communication between parties stagnated in the face of uncertainty caused by the pandemic.
For those projects that were feasible, the participation of local companies and students was limited due to the closure of universities and companies, and communication between parties stagnated in the face of uncertainty caused by the pandemic.
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 / diegograndi; Getty Images / diegograndi; Getty Images / strathroy; pixabay / DEZALB; Getty Images / kikinunchi; dotshock; Oleg Baliuk
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Photos courtesy of © Getty Images / diegograndi; Getty Images / diegograndi; Getty Images / strathroy; pixabay / DEZALB; Getty Images / kikinunchi; dotshock; Oleg Baliuk
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UNESCO learning cities' responses to COVID-19
Puebla, Mexico
Creative initiatives
Mr Luis González-Arenal
International Collaboration
Funding
Challenge: Financial resources
Challenge: Health regulations and participation
Learn more!
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities