Durham joins UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities

Durham has joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, continuing its long history as a significant site of scholarship and learning for over a thousand years.

This is the third time UNESCO has recognised Durham. Learning City status follows recognition of Durham Castle and Cathedral as a World Heritage Site in 1986 and the appointment of a UNESCO chair (Professor) in Cultural Heritage at Durham University in 2014.

The award recognises Durham’s outstanding commitment to making the right to education, learning and skills development a reality for everyone of all ages, both inside and outside the classroom.

Durham is one of 12 such designated cities in the UK. Through the network it will share knowledge, skills, and create opportunities for exchange with other Learning Cities globally.

The aim is to bring partners together to revitalise learning in families and communities, facilitate workplace learning, and extend the use of digital technologies to enhance education.

Work will focus on three areas: sustainability and health, equity and inclusion, and supporting decent (fair) work and entrepreneurship.

The bid to join the global network was led by Durham Castle and Cathedral World Heritage Site Partnership, working with educational and community-based learning and skills providers from across Durham.

Durham City Mayor Councillor Gary Hutchinson said: “As someone with a passion for youth and community work, I believe lifelong learning is vital, and I am thrilled that UNESCO has recognised Durham as a Learning City.

“As well as being an exemplary place for education, training and enterprise, Durham demonstrates the value of lifelong learning and shows how sharing learning resources, facilities and cultural experiences enables people to learn new skills, promotes health and wellbeing, and fosters partnership working for the common good.”

Examples of initiatives behind Durham’s success in achieving GNLC membership include:

• The Digital Durham strategy to improve infrastructure and adult digital skills, provide free training, strengthen apprenticeship pathways and support new business start-ups.
• The Climate Action Durham plan to embed climate education for all, including looking after more than 1,000 hectares of the River Wear, implementing green energy projects across the City and linking environmental care with community wellbeing through research and volunteering.
• Durham’s City of Sanctuary helping refugees and asylum seekers access post-16 education, supporting interfaith and cultural events to broaden participation and give communities ownership of the City’s cultural life.

Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden, Durham University, a key partner in the World Heritage Site Partnership, said: “Durham has a long, rich history of learning and cultural excellence. This additional UNESCO recognition ensures that this legacy will continue long into the future.

“We will work with partners locally and globally so that everyone in our city and region can access education, learning and skills opportunities and the life-changing benefits they bring.”

Dr Anne Allen, Durham World Heritage Site Manager, on behalf of the World Heritage Site Partnership, said: “Becoming a Learning City is partly about recognising learning that takes place outside the classroom through festivals, exhibitions and events.

“In 2026, which marks 40 years as a World Heritage Site, we look forward to working with community partners including Redhills and The Story at Mount Oswald to celebrate Durham’s story for new generations.”

Mark Stamper, Durham County Council’s head of inclusive growth and partnerships, said: “This is an incredible achievement for Durham and demonstrates the contribution our city makes to learning and development while honouring our culture and heritage.

“Working with partners, we have delivered some impactful projects which have created opportunities for growth, improved wellbeing, and connected our communities. We are pleased that Durham has been chosen as one of the cities to receive Learning City status, and we look forward to expanding our partnership work and building the vibrancy of our city.”

Andrew Broadbent, Principal and Chief Executive, New College Durham, said: “We are absolutely delighted that New College Durham, alongside the Durham Learning Alliance and such an inspiring group of partners, is part of this nationally and internationally significant milestone. The confirmation of Durham’s commitment to lifelong learning through UNESCO recognition is a powerful endorsement of the collective ambition, collaboration and innovation across Durham.”

Overall, the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities supports lifelong learning opportunities for nearly 500 million people in 425 cities across 91 countries.

Professor Anne Anderson, Chair, UK National Commission for UNESCO, said:

“On behalf of the UK National Commission I am delighted to welcome Durham as a new UK City of Lifelong Learning. Home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and more than 22,000 students the city has been recognised as an outstanding place for education as well as cultural and environmental engagement.”

Hull joins Durham in the latest round of Learning City designations, co-ordinating across its leading programmes of Hull Maritime, its March STEAM learning festival ‘Colliderfest’, and supporting its ambition to become a UNESCO Creative City.