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.
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.”
The Revd Canon Prof Simon Oliver, Van Mildert Professor of Divinity, Durham University & Residentiary Canon attended the launch earlier today as a representative for Durham Cathedral and the Durham Cathedral Institute which builds upon centuries of learning in the City and brings the public square to Durham Cathedral, hosting discussion of vital political, social, ethical, and spiritual issues, with and for the people of the North East.
