Okayama joins the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities and reinforces its partnership with the UNESCO Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development. Okayama is inspiring learning cities in Japan and worldwide by putting education for sustainable development at the core of its initiatives.

The city recently joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. Using education for sustainable development to make Okayama a learning city Okayama is facing challenges such as population ageing, weakening social bonds in communities, and environmental degradation. The city has long viewed education as an effective response to these challenges. In 2005, Okayama incorporated education for sustainable development (ESD) into its development policy. In promoting ESD, the city has already implemented several aspects of the Key Features of Learning Cities.

For example, the city encourages the involvement of various stakeholders, places a strong focus on youth, and incorporates elements of non-formal and informal education. By working towards the implementation of the Key Features, Okayama aspires to strengthen sustainable development through lifelong learning initiatives. The ESD Okayama Model To implement education for sustainable Development (ESD), Okayama has developed a unique model which promotes ESD through community learning centres (CLCs). These centres provide opportunities for community members to gather, learn and take action in response to local issues such as environmental protection and disaster risk reduction. Not only do CLCs provide spaces for people to share their concerns, they also facilitate community-based learning, raise awareness, motivate people to take action and support the community’s vision for a more sustainable society.

By joining the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, Okayama aims to share its experiences with other learning cities in the Network and to strengthen its partnership with the UNESCO Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development. UNESCO hopes that by using the Key Features of Learning Cities to integrate ESD into its policies, Okayama will build a sustainable city founded on lifelong learning and that it will inspire other learning cities in Japan and the world over. Read more