Ybycuí learns and develops: lifelong learning for sustainable community development in Paraguay

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!

Ybycuí learns and develops: lifelong learning for sustainable community development in Paraguay

It is a timely moment to tackle the challenge of creating a city where people take the lead in formal, non-formal and informal education promoting social inclusion. Learning that addresses the needs of children, young people and older people can contribute to professional development and an improvement in the quality of life for families. Undoubtedly, education is crucial to the fight against poverty. Today we are all contributing to Paraguay’s first learning city. María del Carmen Benítez, Mayor of Ybycuí

Ybycuí has been experiencing severe economic difficulties since the decline of its cotton industry in the 1970s. Unemployment is high, but the political situation has improved in recent years thanks to a generation of leaders who have invested in the city’s social, cultural and economic development. However, citizens themselves need to play a more active role in developing their city. Having participated in the first International Conference on Learning Cities in Beijing in 2013, Ybycuí has adopted a policy of lifelong learning in order to promote this civic engagement. The city is therefore currently intensifying its efforts to become a learning city and launched a project.

Read the interview with Ms María del Carmen Benítez here.

Read about the other cases here.