WHAT HAS HAPPENED ?
Warangal and two cities from Kerala have joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) in recognition of their outstanding efforts to make lifelong learning a reality for all at the local level.
Warangal in Telangana, Thrissur and Nilambur are among the 77 cities from 44 countries which have joined this network of the world body.
The 77 new members bring the total number of cities within UNESCO GNLC to 294 in 76 countries, UNESCO said.
Other cities that have joined the network are the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Durban in South Africa and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) among others.
Asia and the Pacific
• Canning (Australia)
• Gao Lãnh (Vhit Nam).
• Guangzhou (People's Republic of China)
• Hamedan (Islamic Republic of tran)
• Hat Yai (Thailand) Hwaseong (Republic of Korea)
• Nilambur (India)
• Nonsan (Republic of Korea)
• Phayad (Thailand)
• Sejong (Republic of Korea)
• Sukhothai (Thailand)
• Thrissur (India)
• Warangal (India)
WHAT IS THE GLOBAL NETWORK OF LEARNING CITIES ?
According to UNESCO's website, the network is an global policy oriented network offering "inspiration, know-how and best practice".
It further stated that learning cities at all stages of development can benefit vastly from "sharing ideas with other cities", as solutions for problems that come as one city develops may already exist in other cities.
"The Network supports the achievement of all seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), In particular SDG 4 (Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all') and SDG 11 ('Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable')." UNESCO said.
WHAT FEATURES DEFINE A LEARNING CITY ?
There are six features that define a learning city.
These include one that effectively mobilises its resources in every sector to advocate inclusive learning, Revitalises learning in families and communities, facilitates learning for and at workplaces, Extends the use of modern learning technologies, augments quality and excellence in learning, and fosters a culture of learning throughout life.
A rich cultural heritage
Warangal's economy is primarily composed of agricultural, industrial and service sectors. The city has a rich cultural heritage and welcomes 3.2 million tourists every year, making it one of the major tourist attractions in India.
Sector to advocate inclusive learning, Revitalises learning in families and communities, facilitates learning for and at workplaces, Extends the use of modern learning technologies, augments quality and excellence in learning, and fosters a culture of learning throughout life.
Several features were considered by the UN agency to include Warangal in the Global Network of Learning Cities.
The UNESCO highlighted the Telangana city's good practices of advocating healthy environments for children and caregiver, free training for the transgender community, and self-help groups.
The municipality has created skill development centres to identify training needs and provide training in those areas that will contribute to economic development and reduce unemployment.
The cultural capital of Kerala
The cultural capital of Kerala, home to academic and research institutions, and well-known for its jewellery industry, especially gold, Thrissur is the headquarters of four leading private sector banks in India and an important number of chit funds
Meanwhile, the UN agency highlighted the initiatives focusing on vulnerable groups undertaken by Thirssur as one of its good practices.
The other one was the Thrissur Pooram Festival - an annual event celebrating artistic, musical, folk-art, and cultural traditions in the region.
The city is also a prime destination for some famous academic and research institutions.
A mix of urban and rural
Nilambur is a city with various socio-economic patterns marked by an urban and rural mix. The majority of the population depends on agriculture and allied industries. It is also an eco-tourism destination in the Kerala State of India.
It is a growing city whose objective is to promote sustainable development, gender equality, inclusivity, and democracy through community ownership.
The city also aims to provide equal opportunity for growth to women by ensuring equal opportunities in all sectors, promoting capacity-building and reducing harassment.
The city also provides free pre-primary education for all children below the age of six.
This initiative also focuses on the eradication of child labour.
