Learning cities in Denmark: Sønderborg joins the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities

Sønderborg sees its development as a learning city as key to promoting active citizenship and healthier, more sustainable living. And while it has already instituted numerous projects to promote lifelong learning for all, it is now looking to expand and intensify its work in this field by joining the UNESCO GNLC.

Located in southern Denmark and with a population of 74,737, Sønderborg is known for its outstanding achievements in CO₂ reduction and for its successes in applying interdisciplinary policies to foster sustainable development. 

Building a learning city by means of the ‘4-17-42 thinking’

The concept of a ‘4-17-42’ sustainable mindset is the mainstay of Sønderborg’s lifelong learning strategy, and thus influences all related projects and activities.

The number 4 in the strategy’s name stands for Sønderborg’s four political commitments to environmental, economic, social and cultural sustainability, which the city aims to fulfil by cooperating with all relevant stakeholders. The number 17 represents the city’s commitment to the UN’s seventeen Sustainable Development Goals. Here, Sønderborg places special emphasis on quality education for all (Goal 4), sustainable energy (Goal 7) and global partnerships for sustainability (Goal 17). The final number, the 42, represents the forty-two features of a learning city as defined in UNESCO’s Key Features of Learning Cities.

By joining the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities Sønderborg has also initiated the establishment of a Nordic Country Cooperation, within which it will serve as a core partner together with the Finish city of Espoo. The city hopes to use these networks and partnerships to learn from others’ experiences and share its expertise with other learning cities in Denmark, the Nordic countries, and the world.