PASCAL International Observatory is collaborating with the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy, Rutgers University, in a series of webinars from PASCAL Associates for the School’s International Development Interest Group (IDIG).

In the first of these seminars, Judith James, Head of Strategic Regional Collaboration at Swansea University, showcased the progress of Swansea City’s development as a Learning City, and the strategies implemented for the teaching of entrepreneurial skills knowledge and attitudes. Swansea has progressed from a historical reliance on copper and coal extraction to fostering talent and enabling ventures in a diverse range of industries.

Bloustein students learned more about Swansea’s work to combat inequality in the city by introducing enterprise-learning throughout lifelong learning, providing opportunities for entrepreneurs at all stages to develop and showcase their ideas, and in developing pathways and spaces for residents of Swansea to bring their products and services to market.

During the seminar, students additionally heard from young Swansea entrepreneurs on their progress developing their own ventures and learned more about the on-the-ground experience of designing, launching, and running a new business in the Welsh context. The seminar was organised as an online meeting by a student at Rutgers, Nirupama Manjun Vidyarthi and the ‘Growing Comms’ project manager, Noémi Hilaireau of Swansea University.

Judith is a key contributor and leader of PASCAL’s Entrepreneurial Learning cities group within its Learning Cities Networks (LCN).