The name Jane Jacobs is familiar to many of our readers.  Jacobs, who died in 2007, celebrated almost everything about cities.  Although she was born and raised amid the economic and social decline of Depression-era Scranton, Pennsylvania, Jacobs became a devoted believer in the positive potential of cities to overcome economic crises and create widespread prosperity and rich cultural experiences for all residents. 

In today's fast-paced world, the need for continuous learning among adults is more important than ever, particularly during times of crisis. This is a sentiment that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) emphasised already 50 years ago, highlighting in their report ’Recurrent Education: A Strategy for Lifelong Learning (1973)’ (attached below).