Learning Cities at Didacta – Germany’s most important trade fair for education

In a podium discussion at the world’s largest and Germany's most important trade fair for education, the Didacta, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) presented the Learning City Concept and introduced the Global Network of Learning Cities. Mr Raúl Valdés Cotera (UIL), Mr Walter Hirche (German Commission for UNESCO) and Mr Theodor Niehaus (Festo Didactic) discussed the key strategies for the future of learning cities together with UIL Director, Mr Arne Carlsen.

The presenters agreed that  a Learning City addresses issues such as social inclusion, economic development and sustainability by focusing its efforts on education and lifelong learning. Their common consent was that the challenge lies in bringing the different aspects of a learning city together to make change happen. This is where the Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) sees the core purpose of its work, namely sharing best practice experience of successful management.

The event strengthened support for the Global Network of Learning Cities. The GNLC Team was pleased to receive interest in its network from governing bodies of Didacta, the Association of the German Education Industry. Representatives of the Association as well as Festo Didactic will also be present at the 2nd International Conference on Learning Cities to be held in Mexico City in May 2015.