UNESCO World Network : Laayoune, Benguerir and Chefchaouen declared learning cities

The Moroccan cities of Laayoune, Benguerir and Chefchaouen have been declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) learning cities.

The Moroccan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture said in a statement Wednesday that the three cities are now part of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.

Following the call for applications launched by UNESCO (the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning - UIL) for membership in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities - Edition 2020, the Commission accompanied three Moroccan cities, namely Laayoune, Benguerir and Chefchaouen, during the preparation phase of their applications, and encouraged them to scrupulously ensure compliance with the requirements set by UNESCO for the selection of future candidates to the network, said the same source.

The Network of Learning Cities was created in accordance with the Beijing Declaration adopted by the International Conference on Learning Cities, held in Beijing, China, October 21-23, 2013, the statement said.

Until 2019, the said Network consisted of 174 cities from 55 countries and Morocco did not integrate it until 2020 following the recent selection of three cities (Laayoune, Benguerir and Chefchaouen).

The Network values and develops the practice of lifelong learning in cities around the world, stimulates policy dialogue and mutual learning among member cities, forges partnerships, builds capacity and develops instruments that encourage and recognize progress.

In addition, the integration of this Network will allow these Moroccan cities to share with other cities their experiences in education, training and research, but also to benefit from best practices and successful experiences in the fields of lifelong learning.