Hull is celebrating after it was announced the city has joined UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities. It is one of 72 new cities from 46 countries to join the network, which recognises city’s outstanding commitment to making the right to education across all ages a reality for all at the local level.
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) is an international platform that promotes lifelong learning as a driver for sustainable development. Member cities commit to fostering inclusive education, sharing best practices, and collaborating globally to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Expectations include active participation in peer learning, implementing innovative lifelong learning strategies, and contributing to global knowledge exchange.
Leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Mike Ross, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been accepted into this prestigious network, joining a total of over 400 cities from 91 countries in our commitment to education for all.
“Learning is central to Hull’s ambition to raise our city out of poverty, grow our workforce, and deliver opportunities for all.
“Hull’s ambitions reach far and wide. Alongside our new designation as a UNESCO Learning City, we continue our pursuit to become a UNESCO Creative City of Music City, and are preparing for a busy 2026 following the city’s recent naming as one of the top 25 places in the world to visit by National Geographic. It’s a great time to be in our great city!”
Professor Anne Anderson, Chair, UK National Commission for UNESCO said: “Congratulations to the City of Hull on becoming part of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities.
“Hull has been designated for embedding lifelong learning, with a focus on skills, in all parts of the city, and the award also recognises the ambitious plans to provide opportunity for every person in Hull through education.”
UNESCO Learning Cities are dynamic communities where learning is embedded in everyday life – across schools, workplaces, libraries, homes, and public spaces. They create opportunities for all: reskilling and upskilling workers to meet evolving job markets, providing literacy for those who missed out in early years, empowering citizens of all ages to navigate and shape the AI era, and fostering entrepreneurial mindsets.
Hull joins the network in collectively supporting lifelong learning opportunities for nearly 500 million citizens across the world.
Find out more about UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities here.