| Dear Reader, Welcome to the May 2024 edition of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) newsletter. This issue features news about the launch in Morocco of the Global Alliance for Literacy initiative to strengthen the digital competencies of literacy educators, highlights from a recent webinar hosted by the alliance on the potential of new technologies to promote literacy teaching and learning, as well as important information regarding the UNESCO Learning City Award 2024. I wish you an enjoyable read. Isabell Kempf Director, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning |
| In focus: Strengthening the digital skills of literacy educators in Morocco |
| On 23 April, UIL, together with the UNESCO Regional Office for the Maghreb and the Moroccan National Agency for the Fight Against Illiteracy (ANLCA), and with the support of Huawei, launched a capacity-building initiative to promote literacy provision in Morocco. The initiative, which was developed by the Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL) in collaboration with the Global Education Coalition (GEC), aims to increase the effective use of digital technologies for literacy instruction and learning, and build the capacities of 10,000 literacy facilitators in GAL member countries by 2025. |
| Global Alliance for Literacy webinar: Leveraging Technologies for Literacy |
| New technologies have the potential to improve how literacy is provided, taught and learned. It is for this reason that UIL, in its capacity as the secretariat of the Global Alliance for Literacy, works with partners to promote digital approaches to literacy advancement in countries of the Alliance. To explore challenges and opportunities related to these endeavours, UIL hosted a webinar in April, ‘Leveraging Technologies for Literacy’. This online event brought together policymakers, education providers and researchers to discuss relevant technologies and tools that can be used to support youth and adult literacy programmes. |
| News |
 Apply now for the 2024 UNESCO Learning City Award! The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) Coordination Team has launched its call for applications for this year’s UNESCO Learning City Award, which will be conferred during the Sixth International Conference on Learning Cities (ICLC 6) in December. Cities must demonstrate the advancement of meaningful and innovative lifelong learning strategies and practices within their communities. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2024. |
| Events |
| UIL launches webinar series in run-up to ICLC 6 Cities are both drivers of climate change and particularly vulnerable to its effects. Under the theme ‘Learning Cities at the Forefront of Climate Action’, this year’s Sixth International Conference on Learning Cities (ICLC 6) is an opportunity for GNLC stakeholders to discuss strategic approaches to confront the climate crisis. In the run-up to the ICLC 6, the GNLC Coordination Team at UIL will host a webinar series addressing the climate emergency in relation to learning cities and the local communities that will be most affected. |
| Don’t miss the next two webinars in the nine-part series! |
| On Wednesday, 15 May, the GNLC Coordination Team will host the webinar ‘Building Capacities for an Eco-Friendly Future: The Importance of Green Skills’. Join us to discover how we can better support the green transition by fostering a renewed relationship between humanity and the environment. Register now. On Wednesday, 19 June, join the UNESCO GNLC webinar ‘How Digital Learning Can Promote Climate Education in Urban Communities’ to explore how digital tools can be employed to promote access to lifelong learning opportunities for climate action in learning cities and beyond. Register now. |
| Publications |
| IRE Editor’s Monthly Choice From pilots to policies: Challenges for implementing intercultural bilingual education in Latin America J. Mitchell Porter and Andrew R. Morrison Reimagining post-COVID distance education support services with achievement motives and career personality Gideon Mensah Anapey |
| Stories |
| Inspiring stories from the Global Network of Learning Cities The power of lifelong learning at the urban level |
| UIL Learning Hub |
 Enrol for a free course on the UIL Learning Hub, the Institute’s one-stop online multimedia portal for policy development support, capacity development, and knowledge sharing on lifelong learning. |
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