The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning has announced the Irish city of Cork to host the 3rd International Conference on Learning Cities to be held 18-20 September 2017.  The conference promises to be another important step forward in placing lifelong learning at the centre of sustainable city development, especially inclusive and equitable quality education for all.  Earlier conferences were held in Beijing and Mexico City.

The conference will provide an opportunity for members of PASCAL’s Learning Cities Networks to meet together and share knowledge, and to work towards the next PASCAL Learning Cities conference in Korea in 2018.

Dr Rob Mark, the new PASCAL Learning Cities Networks Director, visited the City of Cork recently, where he was part of a delegation from Cork City who met with the President of Ireland, Michel D Higgins accompanied by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Des Cahill.  The occasion was the celebration of the 300-year anniversary of the oldest surviving meeting house in Cork City.  The now Unitarian Church has been a meeting place during these past four centuries providing a forum for discussion, debate, dialogue and interchange of ideas and for the cultural and religious development of the city. 

Later, some of the PASCAL Learning Cities Networks partners met in the Cork Opera House to share ideas and to discuss the city’s contribution to promoting healthy Learning Cities.

Acknowledging the opportunities presented Rob Mark commented:

‘This year’s Learning Cities conference in Cork followed by the PASCAL Learning Cities Conference scheduled for Korea, and the forthcoming 2016 PASCAL Conference in South Africa  will provide opportunities for members of the Learning Cities Networks to come together to share ideas and experiences which are innovative and which respond to real issues confronting cities.  They will also assist the networks and to develop their own plans for future development as well as supporting for new networks to grow.’

Further details on these events will be posted on the web site as they become available.

The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, Kathleen Lynch, former Government Minister for Disability, Equality and Mental Health, and Dr Rob Mark, PASCAL Learning Cities Networks (LCN) Director

Dr Séamus Ó Tuama, Director, Centre for Adult Continuing Education, University College Cork, Dr Rob Mark PASCAL Learning Cities Networks Director and  Denis Barrett, Cork Learning City Coordinator