Friday, 9. 9. 2022

Ljubljana is part of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities

Ljubljana has been accepted into the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, which has the mission to support and develop the practice of lifelong learning in communities around the world by promoting policy dialogue and peer learning, forging links, fostering partnerships, building capacity and developing instruments to promote and recognize progress in building learning cities.

In the application for membership in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, Ljubljana undertook to develop into a learning city, exchange experiences and best practices, promote partnerships and strengthen the policy of lifelong learning for all. The slogan of our vision in the field of lifelong learning is: Ljubljana – a city of education for all.

When we joined, we set medium- and long-term goals.

The medium-term goals are:

• Maintain a high level of 96% enrolment of children in kindergartens by ensuring a strong network of public institutions.
• To ensure a high-quality and safe stay for children by renovating the premises or by deliberately rearranging buildings and a comprehensive approach to static and energy renovations.
• To provide high-quality and accessible programs with highly qualified and autonomous professionals in kindergartens and schools.
• We want to provide each individual with optimal opportunities for high-quality education and training while respecting their individuality and characteristics, and particular attention should be paid to children and young people with special needs. Education should take place in a spirit of tolerance and respect for all cultural and generational differences. Physical, emotional and social security must be ensured for all participants, especially vulnerable groups. All educational institutions should ensure safety in a professional, pedagogical and ethical manner.
• To promote digital literacy to facilitate the everyday life of the elderly, such as using smartphones and their applications, access to e-health, e-government and e-banking.
• To promote intergenerational and intercultural cooperation, mutual learning and socializing between the young and the elderly.
• To provide integration programs and Slovenian language courses for migrants.
• To offer different forms of socializing and various project-based learning programs for dropouts to enable them to complete primary and secondary school education.
• To increase employment opportunities for socially marginalized and vulnerable groups.

The long-term goals are:


• Our primary goal is to increase the participation of adults in lifelong learning by providing different opportunities for lifelong learning and education. To achieve this goal, we will have to develop all the necessary infrastructure and design programs to make lifelong learning accessible to all adults, regardless of their life situations and other needs.
• We will provide all citizens with a high-quality life in a green, safe, clean, solidary, tolerant and friendly city.
• In Ljubljana, we will promote the city's development into a learning city in all areas (education, culture, environmental protection, healthcare, social services, economy, etc.) by involving all stakeholders and providing learning opportunities.
• We will support diverse artistic creation for all generations, improving the quality of life in the city and protecting and preserving the rich cultural heritage.

Membership in the network is free, and members must report on the implementation of the learning city project every two years. So far, there were no Slovenian cities among the network members, but now, in addition to Ljubljana, Ptuj and Laško have joined the network.

We look forward to participating in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, as we believe that by sharing experiences and good practices