Mike Osborne, Director of PASCAL, introduced the meeting and explained that post-Covid, it was recognised that there was a need to re-energise the PASCAL Learning Cities Networks (LCN), and this was the first meeting for the “Reimagining Inclusive Economic Futures” (RIEF”) network. The PASCAL International Observatory works closely with the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) and has recently been running a series of joint webinars with UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. PASCAL assists cities in developing their applications to join the GNLC and has a focus on the ways in which universities can support the development of Learning Cities. Mike invited all attendees to introduce themselves and to explain a little about the city, university, network or organisation they were representing.

A new initiative between the Mastercard Foundation and the Talloires Network of Engaged Universities will create a first-of-its-kind virtual community of university student leaders who are committed to civic engagement and social responsibility.