KEY AIM:
The network will consider ways in which cities can plays roles in providing access through formal, non-formal and informal learning to greater opportunity. Access and social justice are important fields of the endeavour and the network will seek to explore ways in which learning cities can be developed so as to benefit all sections of the community.
Our interest is directed those groups who have been systematically excluded from the formal sector by virtue of the policies of governments and institutions, and their individual and situational characteristics. This includes those who have not been included in education because of their social status, age, race and ethnicity, caste, gender, disability or geographical location. Many such individuals are of course disadvantaged in multiple ways, and their social disadvantage will translate into economic and health and well-being deficits. Of particular interest to the network are groups who have received relatively little attention in the field of learning city development, such as the elderly, prisoners, the disabled and travellers.
In this context, one of our principle concerns is equity, reflected in the idea that systems of education and institutions of learning should be fair in relation to access, provide appropriate support upon entry and create pathways to equitable outcomes from the learning that is provided. Fair and equitable systems should reflect the nature of the population served.
We are concerned to examine and analyse a range of urbanisation models around the world, and consider the approaches that have been taken at city level to facilitate inclusion through a focus on learning at different scales of geography from the community to regional level.
In some doing we seek to identify successful policies and practices that can be exchanged between cities, thereby influencing policy and practice elsewhere, and to celebrate successes of our member organisations.