Agenda item

            The Members were reminded that Belfast had joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities in 2018 in recognition of the City’s commitment to promoting and encouraging lifelong learning for people of all ages. Within The Belfast Agenda, the Council had a vision that the city should be a great place for everyone to live and providing lifelong learning opportunities is a core part of this. Learning has the potential to transform lives for the better- it can build better relationships and help enhance quality of life for everyone in the city.

            Belfast had been awarded a UNESCO Learning Cities Award for outstanding learning in 2021.  Whilst Belfast continued to play its role as a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities as well as a member of an All-Island Network of Learning Cities, it was felt there was a real opportunity to build on Belfast’s Learning City status and to bring city stakeholders together to reenergise our focus and maximise the opportunities presented. It was important to recognise that it was not about creating new initiatives but rather connecting and enhancing existing programmes and initiatives as well as aligning policy ambitions across multiple partners.  A Learning Cities Leadership Group currently existed and comprised representatives from QUB, UU, BMET, BHSCT, PHA, Education Authority, Libraries NI, community partners and the Council.

            Festival Learning Week (22nd-27th April 2024)

            A key focus of the annual programme of work had been a ‘Festival of Learning’ which was a week-long programme of free interactive and engaging events. The festival showcased the range of learning opportunities that already existed in Belfast.  Council officers had worked closely with community partners to develop an inclusive programme of citywide learning events to take place as part of a week-long festival of activity from 22nd April till 27th April 2024.

            Given the significance of the climate challenges facing the city the theme for this year’s Festival of Learning Week was ‘Our Planet: Climate Action’ The festival would deliver free events across the city which promoted citizen awareness of, and engagement in initiatives focusing on lifelong learning in the context of the local and global climate emergency. This would align with the focus of the UNESCOs 6th Annual Conference on Learning Cities (2024) which was ‘Learning Cities at the forefront of climate action’.

            Funding of £10K had been secured through the Public Health Agency in support of the delivery of the Belfast Festival of Learning.   An additional £10k match funding from Council had been agreed through the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee and funded through available in-year budgets within City and Organisational Strategy.

            A meeting had been scheduled with the Director of Communications and Public Relations UNESCO Institute of Lifelong Learning on 12 April to discuss further opportunities to build on the opportunities for lifelong learning with Council Officers.

            The Committee:

i)                 Noted the planned Belfast Festival of Learning launch event on Monday 22nd April 2024 (recognised worldwide as Earth Day), 11am-1pm in 2 Royal Avenue and consider attendance;

ii)                Agreed to help raise awareness of the week-long programme of free events which are available during the Belfast Festival of Learning Week (22nd April – 27th April 2024); and

iii)                Noted that the focus of this year’s Belfast Festival of Learning will be ‘Our Planet:   Climate Action’.