THE EDUCATING CITY AS A LABORATORY FOR LEARNING, CITIZENSHIP, AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION
Our municipalities have become true laboratories of learning where every corner offers opportunities for knowledge and innovation. In addition to traditional educational institutions, libraries, museums, theaters, community and sports centers, and a wide range of experiences and activities promote personal and community growth.
Parks, plazas, and streets in the city can also become outdoor classrooms where the exchange of ideas and experiences is encouraged. Our heritage, along with urban interventions (monuments, murals, sculptures, etc.), also acts as educational tools, inspiring citizens and promoting dialogue and reflection on cultural, historical, or specific values. Festivals, gastronomic fairs, and traditional celebrations, as moments of gathering, allow us to learn about different cultures and traditions and to value diversity.
Green spaces, recycling programs, and responsible consumption, to name a few, teach us about the importance of conservation and environmental care, promoting active community participation in building greener and more sustainable municipalities. In short, this endless array of learning opportunities in our towns and cities shows us that they are a great classroom that never stops teaching and transmitting knowledge and values. The learnings derived from these experiences, which contribute to forming a conscious, responsible, and active citizenry, are what Educating Cities want to harness to transform our municipalities into more inclusive places.
Therefore, the theme for this year’s 2024 International Day celebration is: «The Educating City as a Laboratory of Learning, Citizenship, and Social Transformation.»
This celebration is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the learning opportunities our cities offer and to show the world our commitment to civic education and building a better future.
To achieve the desired impact, we invite each and every city in the network to enthusiastically join this celebration. If all educating cities unite in a global celebration, we will demonstrate the importance of this day and the contribution of local governments to the change of course humanity needs. Let’s use social media and local media to spread the word about activities to a broader audience.
We encourage you to organize activities, motivate and involve organizations, schools, and other local groups to create a diverse and attractive program of activities that align with the day’s theme.
Happy International Day of the Educating City!
Lluís Rabell
IAEC Delegated Chairman and Councilor of the Neighborhood Plan, Education, and Promotion of the Elderly in Barcelona. Councilor of the Horta-Guinardó District.