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Limerick to parttake in UNESCO Global Network meeting in China

Back Row, left to right: Catherine McCarthy, University of Limerick; Anne Delaney, Limerick Childcare Committee; Yvonne Lane, Learning Limerick; Rachel Joyce, Limerick Chamber Skillnets; Maeve Liston, Mary Immaculate College; Maud Baritaud, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board; Adrienne OíConnell, West Limerick Resources.
Front Row, left to right: Eimear Brophy, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board; Mayor of Limerick City and County, Kieran OíHanlon, and Josephine Cotter-Coughlan, Limerick City and County Council. UNESCO Global Network.

A two-day conference in Hangzhou City in China this November 15-16 will see Limerick showcasing its expertise in the provision of Lifelong Learning across multiple locations.

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), in collaboration with the Municipal Government of Hangzhou City is organising the first International Meeting for its Member Cities under the theme ‘Learning Cities towards Sustainability’.

This meeting will provide an opportunity for Limerick and other member cities of the UNESCO GNLC (Global Network of Learning Cities) to develop tools for building sustainable learning cities by sharing their expertise, experience and knowledge in becoming sustainable cities through lifelong learning.


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Limerick is one of a select group of 115 cities across the world who is part of the UNESCO GNLC.  Membership recognises the important and invaluable work carried out in each city in the area of lifelong learning.

The Limerick delegation comprising of Mayor Kieran O’Hanlon, Director Of Service at Limerick City and County Council Josephine Cotter Coughlan and Eimear Brophy, Adult Education Officer with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board will present on the work being carried out by Learning Limerick and specifically on the theme of ‘Distributing Learning Resources evenly between Urban Communities and Rural Areas’.

Among the other issues being discussed at the conference include a better use of ICT to develop Learning Cities, monitoring the progress being made in the building of a Learning City, and how lifelong learning can be a major catalyst in the development of sustainable cities.

The advantages of Limerick being part of the worldwide networks include opening up partnership opportunities with other members; learn from the experiences of other cities; allow Limerick to showcase its experiences with other members and opens up other avenues for the funding of lifelong learning initiatives.

Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon said: “It is a privilege to be promoting Limerick and the work that is done across the city and county to some of the world’s leading experts in the field.  Limerick is leading the way in developing a learning city where everyone regardless of means can be a learner.  This meeting in Hangzhou City will allow us to measure where we are in the provision of services against the best in the world.”

Eimear Brophy, Adult Education Officer with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, who is on the Learning Limerick steering group and who is attending the meeting in China said: “This is a great opportunity for Limerick and we are looking forward to actively participating in this dynamic network of learning cities at the Members meeting in China.  We will be showcasing Limerick as a region of lifelong learning.  The network meeting will also open up opportunities to connect and partner with other learning cities with common interests, and to funding possibilities at international level.” UNESCO Global Network.

Learning Limerick is the regional group for networks and organisations with a role in learning in Limerick.  It is hosted by Limerick City and County Council, in collaboration with other lead partners the PAUL Partnership and the LCETB, and supports and promotes lifelong learning.  The group runs the very successful annual Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival, which is now in its sixth year.  It has proven to be an extremely effective mechanism for bringing education providers from all sectors together to promote both formal and informal learning activities and to connect with learners right across the region.

Read more about UNESCO Global Network here.

Check out Learning Limerick here.

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.