Many of the 173 UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) members around the world are facing severe challenges due to the coronavirus, including challenges caused by the closure of higher education institutions (HEI). This affects traditional student populations pursuing their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees as well as the 'lifelong learning' activities of HEIs, including learning provision for local communities and learners of all ages. Yet, particularly in the time of such severe crisis, affecting every aspect of life, HEIs' engagement and support for local communities are vital and much needed. With their vast experience in knowledge production and dissemination, their know-how on effective and innovative teaching and learning practices, and students offering to volunteer in their neighborhoods, HEIs have a crucial role to ensure that the right to quality education and learning opportunities for all does not stop.

In order to exchange strategies and practical approaches to support local communities and to share good practices of providing learning opportunities at a distance, higher education institutions and members of the UNESCO GNLC convened a webinar organized by UIL on Wednesday 15 April 2020.

Topic: Higher Education Institutions supporting local communities during COVID-19
Time: Apr 15, 2020 13:00 Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna

Programme download

Watch the recording of the webinar:

Presentations

Responses of Higher Education Institutions in face of COVID-19
Mr Francesc Pedró, Director, UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNESCO-IESALC)

The American University in Cairo: Supporting local communities and promoting lifelong learning during COVID-19
Ms Malak Zaalouk, Professor of Practice, Director of the Graduate School of Education, Middle East Institute of Higher Education, The American University in Cairo, Egypt

Bahir Dar University: Supporting local communities during COVID-19 in the context of a learning city
Mr Abiy Menkir Gizaw, Lecturer and Community Service Director, Department of Adult Education and Community Development, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia

University of Glasgow: Supporting local communities during COVID-19 in the context of a learning city
Professor Mike Osborne, Chair of Adult and Lifelong Education, Deputy Director of the Social Innovation Laboratory, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile: Supporting local communities and promoting lifelong learning during COVID-19
Mr Patricio Donoso, Provost for Managerial Institutional Affairs, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile

For more information on the GNLC Webinar series on cities’ response to COVID19 please see the following links: 

• An overview of upcoming webinars and the possibility to download previous summaries and presentations https://uil.unesco.org/event/gnlc-webinars-unesco-learning-cities-response-covid-19  
• The GNLC YouTube Interview Series on COVID19 can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLivu_GCiL2mjYQOp64hcvzGNsC75QKSLw
• The link to the recording of the GNLC Webinar on Family Learning & Community support from 8 April 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyMdFjPF8kA&feature=youtu.be

 
With kind regards,
The team of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning