UNESCO Learning CityReggio Calabria, Italy
Reggio Calabria, Italy, was inducted into UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities in 2022.
A hub of cultural and nature tourism
Most residents in Reggio Calabria live in the urban and coastal area; residential density is lower in the internal hill and lower mountain areas. Due to the lack of industrialization in the city, cultural and nature tourism represent important economic activities.
Mr. Carmelo VersaceMayor of Reggio Calabria
"Our city is happy and proud of having joined the UNESCO Learning Cities Network. It is a recognition that our territory adopts enthusiastically, as it represents a challenge towards the social, civic and cultural growth of our community. This eminent commendation is the result of a careful and thorough work that the Administration of the Metropolitan City has conducted in cooperation with the Department of Education of Roma Tre University, on themes particularly dear to UNESCO, which are at the core of the new civic constitution represented by the 2030 Agenda. An activity of research on essential topics such as the promotion of active citizenship, intercultural, inclusive education, legality education, gender-perspective development and environment sustainability, with the goal of promoting projects of educational and cultural enhancement to end all forms of exclusion and marginalisation."
Promoting inclusive communities based on lifelong learning
Reggio Calabria’s medium- and long-term goals promote an inclusive and welcoming community based on lifelong learning and cultural diversity. The city recognizes the fundamental need of investing in education and knowledge and embraces the 2030 Agenda. In this context, Reggio Calabria’s local institutions support initiatives focused not only on the promotion of cultural heritage, equity and sustainability, but also the improvement of citizens’ welfare.
Promoting sustainability and health
The city has promoted many awareness campaigns on health and sustainability, focusing on citizens’ welfare and the protection of the environment. One of the main goals is the reappropriation of urban spaces as places for sharing and common wellness, where civic consciousness is fostered.
Advancing equity and inclusion
Reggio Calabria promotes initiatives aimed at reducing the socio-economic and cultural disadvantage of vulnerable groups such as the Roma community.
Projects operate along three axes of intervention: the local net of services, in schools, and the residential context.
Projects operate along three axes of intervention: the local net of services, in schools, and the residential context.
Promoting decent work and entrepreneurship
An internationally oriented syllabus for secondary schools and universities promotes foreign-language learning – a key aspect of education and mobility opportunities. To address the challenge of the digital divide, new programmes are being developed to increase digital competences.
Reggio Calabria’s good practicesI Walk the Line
A programme of social inclusion dedicated to youth (aged 14 to 25) in first-reception centres, juvenile detention centres and private institutions. The project is inspired by principles of solidarity, legality and responsibility, and aims to tackle school dropout, bullying, cyber-bullying, failing grades and education poverty.
Reggio Calabria’s good practicesHub for family services
Social inclusion is promoted through a network of social housing and citizens’ services for disadvantaged families. The hub provides citizens with information and orientation on education, social resources and opportunities related to health, welfare and well-being.
Reggio Calabria’s good practicesSPRAR (protection System for Asylum Seekers and Refugees) project
The city of Reggio Calabria adheres to the SPRAR project guidelines, focusing its efforts on the assistance and protection of asylum seekers and refugees, favouring their integration according to the active protagonist formula.
Mr. Carmelo VersaceMayor of Reggio Calabria
"We are proud of being part of this prestigious network and thank you for the warm welcome you gave us. Reggio Calabria is ready, together with you, to walk along the path to fully honour prestigious acknowledgment. Best wishes for our work to us all."
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
Image Credits: FabioSeda/Getty Images; City of Reggio Calabria; City of Reggio Calabria; City of Reggio Calabria; sturti/Getty Images Signature; Hemera Technologies/Photo Images; FatCamera/Getty Images; I Wei Huang/Shutterstock.com; franky242
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities
Image Credits: FabioSeda/Getty Images; City of Reggio Calabria; City of Reggio Calabria; City of Reggio Calabria; sturti/Getty Images Signature; Hemera Technologies/Photo Images; FatCamera/Getty Images; I Wei Huang/Shutterstock.com; franky242
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Reggio Calabria, Italy
A hub of cultural and nature tourism
Mr. Carmelo Versace
Promoting inclusive communities based on lifelong learning
Promoting sustainability and health
Advancing equity and inclusion
Promoting decent work and entrepreneurship
I Walk the Line
Hub for family services
SPRAR (protection System for Asylum Seekers and Refugees) project
Mr. Carmelo Versace
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities