Context

• 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.

Key Details about the recognition

• 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 new UNESCO learning cities were added to the network following their nomination by the National Commissions for UNESCO in the concerned countries and the recommendations of a jury of experts.

Back to Basics

• Popularly known as the cultural capital of Kerala, Thrissur is home to academic and research institutions. It is also known for its jewellery industry, especially gold.

Nilambur, Kerala’s eco-tourism destination

• Nilambur is an eco-tourism destination in the Kerala. It 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.
• The city offers free healthcare facilities to all citizens and utilizes health volunteers to provide door-to-door treatment for bedded patients. It also promotes first-aid training for students and young citizens.
• Nilambur aims to promote sustainable development, gender equality, inclusivity and democracy through community ownership.
• It also aims to ensure employment opportunities and UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, ‘zero hunger’.

Warangal, the tourism spot

• Warangal has a rich cultural heritage. The city is a major tourism venue, welcoming 3.2 million tourists every year. Warangal’s economy is primarily composed of agricultural, industrial and service sectors.

• The city promotes equity and inclusion, for which it has implemented several strategies, including Women and Child Welfare policy, Urban Policy, and the creation of an advisory committee to monitor and evaluate the impact of initiatives on marginalized groups.

About the Global Network of Learning Cities

• UNESCO GNLC is an international network consisting of cities that successfully promote lifelong learning across their communities.
• It includes 294 cities from all around the world that share inspiration, know-how and best practice among each other, the world body.
• 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).
• It is coordinated by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL).

What is a learning city?

• According to UNESCO, a learning city is one that
  • effectively mobilizes its resources in every sector to promote inclusive learning from basic to higher education;
  • revitalizes learning in families and communities; facilitates learning for and in the workplace;
  • extends the use of modern learning technologies;
  • enhances quality and excellence in learning;
  • fosters a culture of learning throughout life.
• In doing so, the city enhances individual empowerment and social inclusion, economic development and cultural prosperity, and sustainable development.

UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in India

• Srinagar, Chennai and Varanasi – UNESCO Cities of music,
• Jaipur – UNESCO City of crafts and folk arts;
• Mumbai – UNESCO city of film and
• Hyderabad – UNESCO City of gastronomy.

Source: Newsonair

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