Sharjah awarded UNESCO membership in the Global Network of Learning Cities

Sharjah: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has granted Sharjah membership of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) as the culmination of its initiatives and achievements in the field of Education.

The emirate places the educational process at the top of its priorities and as the pivot of comprehensive and sustainable development according to the vision and directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

Sharjah won the GNLC membership after meeting all the criteria to join the new learning cities network of UNESCO. The UNESCO decision was based on the nomination by the national committee of the United Nations and the recommendations of an expert jury in light of fulfilling the stipulated conditions.

Sharjah has joined the 79 cities that have so far obtained the membership. It joins the list of 294 cities from around the world in 76 countries on the UNESCO network consolidating its position after its continuous efforts in accordance with its goals aimed at making lifelong learning an integral part of life.

UNESCO lauded Sharjah as a “culturally and economically vibrant city”, noting the emirate’s keenness to provide lifelong learning as it leads to sustainable development, economic competitiveness and innovation.

On its website, UNESCO notes that Sharjah has adopted a lifelong learning strategy by providing quality education, especially early childhood care and education that includes parents and students by improving educational efficiency. It lauds Sharjah’s endeavours to meet the learning needs of its culturally diverse city.

Dr. Saeed Musabah Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Sharjah Education Council, congratulated the Ruler of Sharjah, on the new achievement, which he attributed to the Ruler of Sharjah’s relentless efforts and constant support for education through the Sharjah Education Council and other stakeholders.

He stressed the importance of the UNESCO network membership as it constitutes a renewed step by UNESCO towards Sharjah to demonstrate its efforts in the service of education. Sharjah truly deserves this membership as it has developed all strategies aimed at providing continuing education and equal opportunities for society and education for all, he added.

Al Kaabi pointed out that the UNESCO membership recognises Sharjah’s keenness to improve all aspects of the educational process by providing an integrated educational environment and achieving effectiveness with parents and students through listening and involving them in the development process, establishing institutions concerned with education and supporting their roles to serve the education system.

The Emirate has been keen to draw up a unified educational plan and public policy, develop skills based on best practices, and provide equal opportunities in education and services in accordance with standards of quality, efficiency and transparency.

WAM