Introduction
The UNESCO learning city of GroningenReaching out to the disadvantaged
Fostering equality
The city of Groningen is one of more than 170 active members of the
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities putting lifelong
learning at the heart of its municipality.
It has a highly diverse population. Approximately 230,000 inhabitants from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds call this Dutch city close to the North Sea ‘home‘.
Social equality is seen as key to the city's development. However, inequalities based on income and as a result of disparate academic achievement have increased significantly over the past years.
It has a highly diverse population. Approximately 230,000 inhabitants from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds call this Dutch city close to the North Sea ‘home‘.
Social equality is seen as key to the city's development. However, inequalities based on income and as a result of disparate academic achievement have increased significantly over the past years.
Carine Bloemhoff, Deputy Mayor of Groningen
Equal opportunities
Working towards equity with educational partners
Together with all relevant stakeholders, the city has analysed the challenges – from quality childcare to vocational schools and beyond
–
to learn from them and pave the way for creating equal opportunities for all.
Through an Equal Opportunities Alliance, the city has made considerable strides towards inclusive education, from early childhood onward.
Through an Equal Opportunities Alliance, the city has made considerable strides towards inclusive education, from early childhood onward.
Preschool for every child
Ensuring equal opportunities for all across different educational levels
by supporting the disadvantaged has proven a promising track.
While in the past children from working parents went to childcare centres and children from non-working parents often stayed at home or went to playgroups, the city has now taken measures to ensure that every child can go to preschool for at least 16 hours per week.
While in the past children from working parents went to childcare centres and children from non-working parents often stayed at home or went to playgroups, the city has now taken measures to ensure that every child can go to preschool for at least 16 hours per week.
Supporting disadvantaged schoolchildren
Groningen has also introduced mediation officers, who act as a bridge between school and home. They support children in challenging situations and help by identifying suitable funds in case of families' financial difficulties.
Conclusion
Carine Bloemhoff, Deputy Mayor of Groningen
Learning from one another
The UNESCO GNLC will continue to benefit from the lifelong learning
experiences of Groningen, but, equally, it will strive to inspire new initiatives in the
Dutch city based on the network’s numerous examples of best practice from around
the world.
Join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities!
Learning cities are key drivers to achieve the UN Sustainable
Development Goals. They promote good policy and practice, and foster
sustainable development at various levels.
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities 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.
http://uil.unesco.org/lifelong-learning/learning-cities/become-member
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities 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.
http://uil.unesco.org/lifelong-learning/learning-cities/become-member
Scroll down to continue
Swipe to continue
Swipe to continue
The UNESCO learning city of Groningen
Carine Bloemhoff, Deputy Mayor of Groningen
Working towards equity with educational partners
Preschool for every child
Supporting disadvantaged schoolchildren
Carine Bloemhoff, Deputy Mayor of Groningen
Learning from one another
Join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities!