The Egyptian city of Damietta received the UNESCO Learning City Award 2021, among 10 cities globally, which won the award for outstanding achievements in the field of lifelong learning.
In a ceremony held on Wednesday on the sidelines of the first day of the fifth International Conference on Learning Cities in Yeonsu, Republic of Korea).
The awarded cities are the UNESCO learning cities of Damietta (Egypt), Al Wakra (Qatar), Belfast (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Clermont-Ferrand (France), Dublin (Ireland), Huejotzingo, (Mexico), Jubail Industrial City (Saudi Arabia), Osan (Republic of Korea), Shanghai (People’s Republic of China), and Wyndham (Australia). They were selected by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), upon the recommendation of an independent jury of international experts.
“By embracing lifelong learning, Damietta has sought to promote sustainable development, develop basic skills among adults, and improve the overall health of more than 330,000 people,” the UNESCO statement read.
Manal Awad, Governor of Damietta, received the UNESCO Learning Cities Prize for the year 2021.
The Governor of Damietta expressed her happiness with Damietta receiving this award, which came on the recommendation of an independent jury that includes international experts.
She noted that Damietta has made concrete steps to promote sustainable development goals, develop basic skills, improve public health, and also support different files and issues.
Awad also noted that Damietta has worked to enhance the role of women in the field of entrepreneurship, which was achieved through the women-friendly city.
The governor talked about the city’s project to develop women’s skills and train them in various crafts. The project also trains women on feasibility studies of projects to make them entrepreneurs.
“With more than half of humanity living in urban areas, cities have a central role to play in providing learning opportunities. This year’s UNESCO Learning City Awardees enable their citizens to adapt to a rapidly changing world and acquire the knowledge necessary to act jointly to solve global challenges. Through lifelong learning they pave the way for fairer, more just and sustainable societies and a better future for all of us!” underlined David Atchoarena, Director of UIL, ahead of the awards ceremony.
