Designated a UNESCO Learning City, Waterford has been invited to join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, which recognises good practices in promoting quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

This Learning City status follows the collaborative work of Waterford City and County Council, Kilkenny County Council, the Southern Regional Assembly, SETU, Waterford Chambers and the ETBs in preparing an application to UNESCO, setting out the ambition and commitment in Waterford to fostering lifelong learning opportunities for all its citizens.

As a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, Waterford can grow and develop as a recognised city of learning and build upon the strong stakeholder commitment and political support of the Learning City Initiative.

The designation of Waterford as a UNESCO Learning City is strongly supported by regional policy and advances the ambition set out in the Southern Regional Assembly’s Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy to develop Waterford City as a UNESCO Learning City, joining Limerick and Cork City as part of a network of Learning Cities and to develop the entire southern region as a UNESCO Learning Region.

Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Conway said: “One of the most significant things about this network is the strong emphasis on lifelong learning, and that is something that Waterford as a council and as a city will strive to consolidate and promote for the people of Waterford.”

On receiving news of the UNESCO Designation, Cathaoirleach of the Southern Regional Assembly, Cllr Terry Shannon commended the great collaboration of all involved in making this commitment for Waterford to become a UNESCO Learning City. “Becoming a Learning City will help achieve progress in disadvantaged areas and marginalised communities and will develop our knowledge, innovation and strong skills base our future,” he noted.