Cork City becomes Ireland’s UNESCO Learning City in 2017

Picture: from left to right - The President, Michael D Higgins; Kathleen Lynch, former Government Minister for Disability, Equality and Mental Health; and Dr Rob Mark, HERC Member and Learning Cities Director.

Dr Rob Mark, Honorary Researcher, HERC, recently appointed to the role of PASCAL Learning Cities Director, visited Cork City which is playing host to the 3rd International Conference on Learning Cities 18-20 September 2017. The conference promises to be another important step forward in placing lifelong learning at the centre of sustainable city development. The two earlier conferences were held in Beijing and Mexico City.

During his visit to Cork, he was invited to be part of a delegation who met with President Michael D Higgins accompanied by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Des Cahill. The occasion was the celebration of the 300-year anniversary of the oldest surviving Meeting House in Cork City. The now Unitarian Church has for four centuries providing a forum for discussion, debate, dialogue and interchange of ideas which has assisted with the cultural and religious development of the city.

Later, PASCAL Learning Cities partners met in Cork Opera House to share ideas and to discuss the city’s contribution to promoting healthy Learning Cities.