UNESCO Learning City Awardee 2024Querétaro, Mexico
Located in central Mexico, Querétaro is a city of contrasts—balancing rapid economic development in aeronautical and automotive industries with the challenges of social inclusion and environmental sustainability.
Through its Learning City initiative, Querétaro aims to empower individuals of all ages and backgrounds, fostering a culture of collective learning to build a more sustainable and equitable future.
Through its Learning City initiative, Querétaro aims to empower individuals of all ages and backgrounds, fostering a culture of collective learning to build a more sustainable and equitable future.
Querétaro: Lifelong learning for inclusive growth
Querétaro's vision for lifelong learning is grounded in the principles of social justice and inclusivity. With a focus on the city's most vulnerable neighbourhoods, the Learning City Plan encompasses 40 projects—28 of which are public programmes adapted to lifelong learning principles. From reopening cultural centres to implementing innovative environmental programmes, the city has already reached over 1.7 million participants by 2023.
Felipe Fernando Macías Olvera Mayor of Querétaro, Mexico
Mobilizing stakeholders and resources
Querétaro’s Learning City initiative thrives on collaboration, bringing together diverse stakeholders to co-create and support lifelong learning programmes.
The Development Council Querétaro City of Learning, established in 2021, serves as the backbone of this effort.
This multi-sector body includes representatives such as the Municipal President, the Secretary of Education, leaders from universities, private sector entrepreneurs, and members of civil society.
Key achievements include:
The Development Council Querétaro City of Learning, established in 2021, serves as the backbone of this effort.
This multi-sector body includes representatives such as the Municipal President, the Secretary of Education, leaders from universities, private sector entrepreneurs, and members of civil society.
Key achievements include:
- Institutional Strength: The council was formalized by a unanimous agreement in the Municipal Council, ensuring its continuity regardless of changes in administration. It serves as a permanent platform for collaboration and dialogue across sectors.
- Strategic Actions: In 2023, the council helped create the Laboratory for Learning, an organization that designs strategic initiatives, such as the Citizen Participation Law and Regulation.
- Resource Mobilization: While 80% of funding comes from municipal sources, Querétaro has successfully involved external allies to contribute in-kind resources. Universities, businesses, and local NGOs have supported initiatives by providing spaces, training, and expertise.
Mara MontañesTechnical secretary of Querétaro and part of the Laboratory for Learning initiative
The Best Learning Spaces in Vulnerable Sites initiative
To bridge the gap in educational opportunities, Querétaro has prioritized the rehabilitation of cultural and learning spaces in marginalized districts. For example:
- La Vía Centre for Artistic Training: Located in the vulnerable Tepe neighbourhood, this space offers workshops and courses for people of all ages. It serves as a vital hub for family and community engagement.
- Hercules Cultural Space: This recreational venue was established to provide free and accessible learning activities for marginalized communities.
- BLOQUE Technology Training Centre: This centre equips residents with technological skills, fostering digital inclusion and opportunities for growth.
Alejandro DiazEducational promoter
Learning Festival: Celebrating lifelong learning
Querétaro’s annual Learning Festival demonstrates how education can unite communities and spark engagement across generations.
Highlights of the festival included diverse activities such as first aid workshops, storytelling sessions, environmental education, and a “Learning Route” designed to inspire reflection on civic responsibility and sustainability.
The festival also benefited from collaboration with other Learning Cities, such as Mineral de la Reforma, which introduced innovative projects like the Casa de la Ciencia and the Urban Orchard Model. Such partnerships enriched the event, fostering knowledge exchange and mutual inspiration.
Participation in public learning events has seen remarkable growth, with attendance increasing by over 50% in the past two years, surpassing 1 million attendees.
The Learning Festival not only celebrates education but also reclaims public spaces as vibrant hubs for community interaction and lifelong learning.
Highlights of the festival included diverse activities such as first aid workshops, storytelling sessions, environmental education, and a “Learning Route” designed to inspire reflection on civic responsibility and sustainability.
The festival also benefited from collaboration with other Learning Cities, such as Mineral de la Reforma, which introduced innovative projects like the Casa de la Ciencia and the Urban Orchard Model. Such partnerships enriched the event, fostering knowledge exchange and mutual inspiration.
Participation in public learning events has seen remarkable growth, with attendance increasing by over 50% in the past two years, surpassing 1 million attendees.
The Learning Festival not only celebrates education but also reclaims public spaces as vibrant hubs for community interaction and lifelong learning.
QRECE Municipal volunteering: Strengthening the social fabric
The QRECE Municipal Volunteering programme brings together youth and adults to actively contribute to their communities through educational and social initiatives. Over six months, volunteers participate in diverse activities that enhance public spaces, promote good citizenship and foster environmental awareness.
Key efforts include promoting educational and recreational activities in schools and public spaces, rehabilitating community areas, supporting reforestation projects and organizing animal welfare and adoption campaigns. By working in 28 vulnerable neighbourhoods, the program has positively impacted more than 200,000 residents, fostering a stronger sense of community and collective responsibility.
Key efforts include promoting educational and recreational activities in schools and public spaces, rehabilitating community areas, supporting reforestation projects and organizing animal welfare and adoption campaigns. By working in 28 vulnerable neighbourhoods, the program has positively impacted more than 200,000 residents, fostering a stronger sense of community and collective responsibility.
Life and Nature for Urbanites initiative: Sustainability through education
This innovative programme fosters environmental awareness and community collaboration to address pollution and strengthen food sovereignty. Through education and hands-on activities, neighbourhoods are empowered to take meaningful action toward sustainability.
Key achievements include the training of environmental promoters and the creation of 5 community gardens across Querétaro. These gardens, maintained by local collectives and over 300 residents, provide spaces for learning and collaboration.
The programme also hosts vibrant knowledge fairs, celebrating local ecological expertise and uniting neighbourhoods through shared environmental goals. By cultivating stewardship and sustainability, Life and Nature for Urbanites reinforces Querétaro's commitment to a greener future.
Key achievements include the training of environmental promoters and the creation of 5 community gardens across Querétaro. These gardens, maintained by local collectives and over 300 residents, provide spaces for learning and collaboration.
The programme also hosts vibrant knowledge fairs, celebrating local ecological expertise and uniting neighbourhoods through shared environmental goals. By cultivating stewardship and sustainability, Life and Nature for Urbanites reinforces Querétaro's commitment to a greener future.
Querétaro’s vision for the future
Querétaro is just beginning its journey as a Learning City, weaving lifelong learning into every aspect of community life.
Through its innovative initiatives and commitment to inclusion and sustainability, the city is fostering a more empowered and equitable society. The dedication to lifelong learning is evident in every project, from revitalized public spaces to environmental stewardship and social integration efforts.
As a winner of the 2024 UNESCO Learning City Award, Querétaro stands as a powerful example of how education and collective action can transform communities and create a brighter, more sustainable future.
Through its innovative initiatives and commitment to inclusion and sustainability, the city is fostering a more empowered and equitable society. The dedication to lifelong learning is evident in every project, from revitalized public spaces to environmental stewardship and social integration efforts.
As a winner of the 2024 UNESCO Learning City Award, Querétaro stands as a powerful example of how education and collective action can transform communities and create a brighter, more sustainable future.
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
© Ivan5.0 / Shutterstock.com; NadyaRa / Shutterstock.com; Querétaro Municipal Government; Matt Gush / Shutterstock.com; Getty Images Pro / Stock Good
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
© Ivan5.0 / Shutterstock.com; NadyaRa / Shutterstock.com; Querétaro Municipal Government; Matt Gush / Shutterstock.com; Getty Images Pro / Stock Good
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Querétaro, Mexico
Querétaro: Lifelong learning for inclusive growth
Mobilizing stakeholders and resources
Mara Montañes
The Best Learning Spaces in Vulnerable Sites initiative
Alejandro Diaz
Learning Festival: Celebrating lifelong learning
QRECE Municipal volunteering: Strengthening the social fabric
Life and Nature for Urbanites initiative: Sustainability through education
Querétaro’s vision for the future
The UNESCO Learning City Awards
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities