Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing to support the request for UN recognition of 30 November as the “International Day of the Educating City», in line with the proposal made by the International Association of Educating Cities (IAEC), made up of close to 500 cities in the world.
The institutionalization of such celebration would contribute to raise awareness on the importance of education in the city and to make visible the commitment of local governments to lifelong learning. This global celebration also seeks to promote the materialisation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the local context.
Cities can and should provide spaces for meeting and moving, safe spaces for children, women and seniors, inviting spaces which encourage to become and to stay physically active. One of my favorite cities is Copenhagen which banned cars and encourages people to walk, to jog and to bike. Playing grounds for young and old, climbing walls, swimming baths, skateboard arenas and many parks invite the citizens to participate in various physical activities, to train, to relax and to have fun. I hope that many cities follow Copenhagen and other cities “on the move”.
Therefore, I give my support to the establishment of 30 November as the International Day of the Educating City.
Gertrud Pfister
Professor Emerita
Department of Nutrition, Sports and Exercises
University of Copenhagen