Maragheh joins UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities
The ancient city of Maragheh in East Azarbaijan Province has officially been admitted to UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), the city’s mayor announced.
Shahram Morovati underscored the importance of effective urban management, emphasizing that Maragheh’s accession to the UNESCO network represents both an international honor and a significant responsibility. “We believe that lifelong learning is the foundation of sustainable development, innovation, and strengthened social participation,” he said.
Morovati noted that the municipality will make full use of the network’s opportunities to enhance the quality of life for residents. He recalled that Maragheh was recognized as a WHO Healthy City last year, and said the combination of these two global titles — Healthy City and Learning City — offers a promising outlook for the city’s future development. This dual recognition, he added, reflects the municipality’s commitment to improving public health, raising awareness, and advancing the overall quality of life, according to chtn.ir.
As part of its new global membership, Maragheh has placed several priorities on its agenda, including the development of local learning centers, the promotion of educational equity, the improvement of urban health, the expansion of social participation, and the creation of learning opportunities for people of all ages.
The mayor also announced that a comprehensive program to implement the Learning City framework is already underway. Several elements are currently in progress, including the establishment of themed parks such as the Music Park, Sound Park, Education Park, Hydro Park, Sand Play Park, Adventure Park, and Animal Park — all designed to enhance civic education.
With the Learning City certification, all urban spaces and infrastructure — including cultural centers, public parks, and pedestrian pathways — may now serve as platforms for learning and community awareness.
Morovati outlined three core strategies Maragheh has proposed to UNESCO: strengthening cross-sector collaboration among civil society, governmental bodies, and local organizations to promote lifelong learning; making use of the city’s cultural heritage and existing educational resources; and prioritizing health-oriented programs as part of the Learning City model.
He further reported that a specialized Learning City Committee has been established, bringing together various municipal departments, government agencies, and NGOs to pursue these strategies through an integrated, cross-sectoral approach.
Stressing the importance of cooperation with UNESCO, the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, and the UNESCO Office in Tehran, Morovati said such partnerships will support joint projects and enable Maragheh to draw on successful international experiences. He added that Maragheh, having already demonstrated strong performance in implementing the Healthy City program, is prepared to play an active role in the global network.
The official unveiling of Maragheh’s membership certificate in the UNESCO Learning Cities Network will take place soon, in accordance with UNESCO protocols and with the participation of officials from various organizations.
According to UNESCO, nine Iranian cities — Isfahan, Shiraz, Tehran, Mashhad, Bandar Khamir, Kermanshah, Hashtgerd, Rasht, and Kashan — were previously part of the network. With the admission of Maragheh, the number of Iranian member cities has now risen to ten.
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities is an international initiative aimed at promoting lifelong learning, facilitating knowledge exchange among cities, enhancing urban quality of life, and supporting sustainable educational policies.