Jubail will be hosting UNESCO’s 6th International Conference.
- Jubail, Saudi Arabia is set to host the sixth International Conference on Learning Cities from December 3rd to 5th.
- The event will take place at the offices of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu in the Jubail Industrial City
- The conference provides an opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas with cities around the world
Jubail, a member of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities in Saudi Arabia, is set to host the sixth International Conference on Learning Cities from December 3rd to 5th.
During the announcement on Thursday, Isabell Kempf, the director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, emphasized the unique position of UNESCO learning cities to instill climate consciousness and equip local residents with the necessary green skills for a sustainable society.
The event will take place at the offices of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu in the Jubail Industrial City, which is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
King Salman will be the patron of the conference, in keeping with his views on the importance of international cooperation in efforts to confront global challenges and achieve sustainable development through education.
The conference provides an opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas with cities around the world and develop joint action plans to enhance the role of learning cities in facing global challenges, especially climate change.
Jubail was chosen to host the conference in recognition of its commitment to the event, the initiatives it has developed to enhance lifelong learning opportunities for all, and its active participation in the network since joining in 2020.
In 2021, Jubail Industrial City received the UNESCO Learning Cities Award for its efforts to enhance sustainable development, boost entrepreneurship, and improve skills, in keeping with the spirit of the network.
The theme of the conference will be “Learning Cities at the Forefront of Climate Action,” which aligns with the aims of the Saudi and UNESCO’s commitment to sustainable development. Middle East Green Initiatives launched in 2021 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, chairman of the Supreme Committee for Green Saudi Arabia.
“The UNESCO Learning City pointed to national programs launched as part of the Saudi Vision 2030, such as the Human Capability Development Program, aimed at building a national strategy for the development of citizens’ capabilities,” the Institute for Lifelong Learning said.
“Adopting a lifelong-learning perspective and involving the participation of government agencies, the private sector and the non-profit sector, this strategy stretches from early childhood through to general education, The upcoming conference in December will bring together municipal officials, people interested in the field of learning and education, and representatives of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. The goal of the conference is to exchange information, ideas, solutions, and best practices that promote lifelong learning, which includes university education, technical and vocational training, and continuous training.
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities is composed of 356 cities in 79 countries that promote learning within families and communities, facilitate learning in the workplace through modern technologies, and foster a culture of lifelong learning among member cities. This helps promote individual empowerment, social inclusion, economic development, cultural prosperity, and sustainable development.
The Institute for Lifelong Learning said that during the conference, participants, including policymakers, learning city mayors, lifelong learning and sustainability experts, private-sector representatives, NGOs, civil society, researchers, educators, and United Nations entities, will work together to identify and strengthen lifelong learning policies for climate action, resilience, and the establishment of sustainable cities.
