DOHA: Doha has won the UNESCO Learning Cities Award for 2024, in recognition of its outstanding achievements in promoting lifelong learning.
The award was received by Mansour bin Ajran Al Buainain, Director General of Doha Municipality, during an honoring ceremony held on the sidelines of the opening of the Sixth International Conference on Learning Cities (ICLC 6) in Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
On this occasion, Maha Zayed Al-Qaqa Al-Ruwaili, Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, stressed that Doha’s winning of the UNESCO Learning Cities Award for 2024 highlights the State of Qatar’s commitment to enhancing lifelong learning opportunities and achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, which focuses on comprehensive and sustainable education in order to build a knowledge-based society capable of adapting to emerging challenges.
She explained that the Ministry of Education and Higher Education seeks, through many initiatives and programmes, to ensure that education is available and comprehensive to all, which enhances opportunities for continuous learning and motivates individuals to develop their skills and capabilities.
She said: "This achievement embodies the national efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, especially the fourth goal to ensure quality education for all, and the eleventh goal related to building sustainable and safe cities capable of adapting to future challenges. We are proud of this global recognition that reflects Qatar’s leadership in education and sustainability.”
In the same context, Mansour bin Ajran Al Buainain, Director General of Doha Municipality, confirmed that Doha’s winning of the UNESCO Learning Cities Award this year comes as a result of its efforts to enhance lifelong learning opportunities through partnerships with the public, private and civil society sectors, in addition to increasing 15% of its budget allocated to developing learning cities.
He added that Doha has introduced a number of programs dedicated to promoting sustainability, health and healthy practices for diverse groups, including students, workers, the elderly and food establishments. In addition to major initiatives such as establishing community learning platforms in cooperation with local educational institutions, which has led to an increase in the rate of adult learning to 25% over the past two years, which enhances inclusiveness in lifelong learning.
For his part,Ali Abdul Razzaq Al Maarifi, Secretary-General of the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, stressed that Doha’s winning of the UNESCO Learning Cities Award is a global achievement that reflects the State of Qatar’s commitment to promoting lifelong learning as a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. This international honor highlights the tireless efforts made by various national institutions to provide an innovative and comprehensive educational environment that inspires individuals and contributes to building a knowledge-based society.
He added: "The Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science affirms its role as an active partner in supporting these initiatives in cooperation with international organizations, in a way that enhances the position of the State of Qatar and its leadership in achieving the goals of the National Vision 2030."
In the same context, Isabelle Kempf, Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), said: "The UNESCO Learning Cities Award will promote lifelong learning through the ability of residents to adapt, innovate and collaborate in finding solutions to the world’s greatest challenges.”
It is worth noting that the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) consists of 356 cities from 79 countries. The ability to connect educational, training and cultural institutions while engaging diverse partners, including public sector representatives, civil society organizations and employers, is a hallmark of UNESCO Learning Cities. These cities mobilize resources across sectors to promote inclusive and quality learning at all levels, from basic to higher education.
They also foster learning within families and communities, support workplace learning, and expand the use of modern learning technologies. Members meet every three years at the International Conference of Learning Cities (ICLC) to assess progress, address challenges, and formulate joint solutions for the future.