Narrowing the gaps between deprived and affluent areas: Swansea as a learning city

Unlocking the Potential of Urban Communities: Case Studies of Twelve Learning Cities showcases cities in different parts of the world that are embracing lifelong learning for all. The book explores how the learning city approach can be used to unlock citizens’ potential, focusing on the experiences of twelve cities from all five UNESCO regions: Melton (Australia), Sorocaba (Brazil), Beijing (China), Bahir Dar (Ethiopia), Espoo (Finland), Cork (Ireland), Amman (Jordan), Mexico City (Mexico), Ybycuí (Paraguay), Balanga (Philippines), Namyangju (Republic of Korea) and Swansea (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland). These cities will be celebrated at the book’s launch at the 2nd International Conference on Learning Cities (ICLC), which will take place in Mexico City from 28 to 30 September 2015. Join us there and help shape the future of learning cities!

Narrowing the gaps between deprived and affluent areas: Swansea as a learning city

"I feel sure that with initiatives underway during the next ten years this area of South West Wales will become a more confident, ambitious and well-connected region, recognized internationally as a knowledge and innovation-based society.” Sir Terry Matthews, Chair of the Swansea Bay City Region

The Welsh Government has identified two areas that are essential for development in Wales: developing a buoyant economy and supporting social justice. In order to address these themes, Swansea Bay City Region must be innovative, entrepreneurial and inclusive. The principal focus of the Swansea Bay Entrepreneurial Learning City Region initiative is on the development of entrepreneurial capacity through lifelong learning. Lifelong learning in this context includes all formal and non-formal learning across all ages and sectors. The ultimate aim of the Swansea Bay City Region Board is that by 2030, Swansea Bay City Region ‘will be a confident, ambitious and connected European city region, recognized internationally for [its] emerging knowledge and innovation economy’. Swansea Bay Entrepreneurial Learning City Region is exploring how, by embedding entrepreneurial skills into lifelong learning, it can create innovation, improve the regional economy, and narrow the economic, education and skills gaps between deprived and affluent areas.     

Read more about Swansea and the other cases here.