UNESCO Learning CityPtuj, Slovenia
Ptuj, located in Northeastern Slovenia, was inducted into UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities in 2022.
It is the oldest town in the country, nestled between gentle wine-growing hills and the River Drava.
It is the oldest town in the country, nestled between gentle wine-growing hills and the River Drava.
Improving learning quality
As a learning city, Ptuj hopes to improve the quality of education at all levels of formal education using modern learning technologies.
Four pillars of learning form the basis of the city's work.
Four pillars of learning form the basis of the city's work.
Ptuj’s 4 pillars of learningMs. Nuška Gajšek, Mayor of Ptuj
"We will establish and continue to build four supporting pillars which are:
1) learning that strengthens awareness that the most important values are being, loving, having;
2) learning that empowers the concept of knowing;
3) learning that gives meaning to the individuals according to the concept of working;
4) learning to live together."
1) learning that strengthens awareness that the most important values are being, loving, having;
2) learning that empowers the concept of knowing;
3) learning that gives meaning to the individuals according to the concept of working;
4) learning to live together."
Increasing participation
Ptuj’s medium-term goals are to reduce drop-out rates in primary and secondary education, increase the level of vocational education, the number of tertiary education graduates and the percentage of those enrolled in lifelong learning programmes.
Ms. Nuška GajšekMayor of Ptuj
“Advanced society realized that learning is essential and that there is no excuse for age, gender or anything else. With the lifelong learning project that we are introducing in our municipality, we want to develop the appropriate skills, knowledge, and attitude towards work, citizenship and personal fulfilment in individuals and ultimately in society as a whole.”
Ptuj’s strategies for sustainability and health
Ptuj’s lifelong learning strategy is harmonized with the lifelong learning strategy of Slovenia.
At the city level, there is an environmental protection strategy and an action plan for the annual health and environmental impact assessment. In the ‘My clean and healthy city project’, curricula on related topics is taught in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools.
At the city level, there is an environmental protection strategy and an action plan for the annual health and environmental impact assessment. In the ‘My clean and healthy city project’, curricula on related topics is taught in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools.
UNESCO Associated Schools Run of Youth
An initiative of Ptuj elementary schools in cooperation with the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO, this project seeks to inspire young people and teach them that an active body means an active brain, to make exercise and healthy eating the way of life of generation "y" and generation "z", and to connect and cooperate through sport.
The 7th edition of the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Run of Youth took place in 2021.
The 7th edition of the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Run of Youth took place in 2021.
Promoting equity and inclusion
Ptuj addresses the needs of vulnerable groups at all levels of education, providing adequate infrastructure and pedagogical staff.
For example, blind and visually impaired citizens can attend training with the help of a guide dog. Immigrants are offered special programmes to learn Slovene.
Many further programmes are implemented based on the specific learners needs.
For example, blind and visually impaired citizens can attend training with the help of a guide dog. Immigrants are offered special programmes to learn Slovene.
Many further programmes are implemented based on the specific learners needs.
Decent work and entrepreneurship
The city promotes socially and environmentally responsible entrepreneurship.
To tackle youth unemployment, a four-month entrepreneurial training course in which participants develop and realize their own entrepreneurial ideas through mentoring and comprehensive assistance has been developed.
To tackle youth unemployment, a four-month entrepreneurial training course in which participants develop and realize their own entrepreneurial ideas through mentoring and comprehensive assistance has been developed.
Practical training for higher education students
The special feature of Ptuj’s regional college and higher education centre is its strong cooperation with the economic sectors: students must complete four months of practical training in each year of their studies.
ICT in education projects
Projects implemented by the Scientific Research Centre Bistra Ptuj including the ‘Bionics in technology’ higher education programme and the ‘Advanced technologies and learning companies’ programme – promote computer literacy and professional education on sustainable development.
Investing in people, transforming education
"Our small country and thus our city cannot
compete in quantity but in quality, which can be achieved only with
well-educated people. Lifelong learning is therefore our priority," underlines Ms. Nuška Gajšek, Mayor of Ptuj.
Having joined the vast network of learning cities, Ptuj will enter into a dialogue with cities around the globe. Other members of the network will learn from its good practices and, in turn, inspire Ptuj to further develop its learning strategies.
Having joined the vast network of learning cities, Ptuj will enter into a dialogue with cities around the globe. Other members of the network will learn from its good practices and, in turn, inspire Ptuj to further develop its learning strategies.
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: © City of Ptuj; Shutterstock / Gorodenkoff; Shutterstock / Stock-Asso; Shutterstock / Robert Kneschke; Shutterstock / Nataliia Maksymenko; Shutterstock / Lamine ch; Shutterstock / industryviews / Naratrip Boonroung.
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Credits: © City of Ptuj; Shutterstock / Gorodenkoff; Shutterstock / Stock-Asso; Shutterstock / Robert Kneschke; Shutterstock / Nataliia Maksymenko; Shutterstock / Lamine ch; Shutterstock / industryviews / Naratrip Boonroung.
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Ptuj, Slovenia
Improving learning quality
Ptuj’s 4 pillars of learning
Increasing participation
Ms. Nuška Gajšek
Ptuj’s strategies for sustainability and health
UNESCO Associated Schools Run of Youth
Promoting equity and inclusion
Decent work and entrepreneurship
Practical training for higher education students
ICT in education projects
Investing in people, transforming education
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities