SETU partners with Waterford City and County Council and WWETB in launching Waterford as UNESCO Learning City
Waterford has officially launched its status as a UNESCO Learning City, marking a major milestone in the city’s ongoing commitment to a culture of lifelong learning and the further ambition of working towards a broader learning region for the southeast of Ireland.
This follows the collaborative work of South East Technological University (SETU), Waterford City and County Council and Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB), who together spearheaded this initiative. The launch took place at the Garden Room of the Waterford Treasures Medieval Museum in Waterford City.
Speaking about this achievement, Prof. Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, said, “SETU is proud to play a central role in establishing the Waterford as a UNESCO Learning City.This initiative represents a transformative opportunity to strengthen educational access, foster innovation, and build a thriving, inclusive learning community across Waterford and the wider region.” “Through our leadership in lifelong learning, regional partnerships, and the development of Glassworks, an innovation campus, SETU will enhance the availability of a skilled, flexible, well-educated workforce for the economy and will be at the heart of a UNESCO Learning Region in the southeast,” Prof. Campbell continued. “Working together with our partners at WWETB and Waterford City and County Council, we are working to widen access, enhance lifelong learning opportunities, and to integrate pathways for further and higher education within the region.” she concluded.
Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan said, “We are proud to see Waterford recognised as a UNESCO Learning City.” “Through the collaborative efforts of Waterford City and County Council, SETU and WWETB, lifelong learning opportunities will now be more accessible and attainable than ever. This people-centred, learning-focus approach will not only consolidate Waterford as a learning city, but it will also lessen the inequalities within disadvantaged and marginalised communities across the region.”
Sean McKeown, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council added, “The benefits of being a UNESCO Learning City cannot be overstated. This copper fastens Waterford’s commitment to lifelong learning by fostering a more inclusive learning society and creating opportunities for everyone to benefit, socially, economically, and personally.” “We are steadfast in our ambition to grow and develop in our role as a Learning City, through strong stakeholder engagement, and political support of the Learning City Initiative,” he concluded.
Dr Karina Daly, Chief Executive of WWETB, said, “It is fitting that Waterford is now recognised as a UNESCO Learning City given the genuine dedication and commitment to education and training across the city and county in recent years. WWETB is delighted to partner with SETU and Waterford City and County Council to ensure that Waterford continues to grow and develop its capacity to provide learning opportunities for all its citizens, meeting each learner where they are at.” “We believe that, fundamentally, there is a path to learning for all, and that the educational and training experience should be transformative for all students and adult learners alike. WWETB is excited to be part of this journey - lifelong learning as a concept is core to what we believe in and WWETB commits to providing quality education and training opportunities for citizens across Waterford city and county,” Dr Daly concluded.
The UNESCO Learning City designation recognises cities from all over the world that demonstrate exceptional progress in promoting quality lifelong learning opportunities for all. As a member of the UNESCO Global network of Learning Cities, Waterford now joins leading learning cities worldwide, further strengthening its position as a vibrant centre for education, innovation, and lifelong learning. The city’s participation in the network will help to expand learning opportunities, build strong partnerships, and inspire new initiatives that support personal development, social inclusion, and economic resilience.
Along with supporting partners Buíon Phort Lairge, Waterford Chamber, Kilkenny County Council, and the Southern Regional Assembly, the Waterford Learning City working group looks forward to working in partnership with wider communities and organisations within the city centre to celebrate, promote, and progress lifelong learning opportunities for the population. A key element of this initiative was the appointment of Learning City Project Manager, Laura Power, who will work to coordinate partner initiatives under the UNESCO Learning City programme.
The launch of Waterford’s UNESCO Learning City Award marks not only a celebration of past achievements, but a renewed commitment to building a brighter, more inclusive learning future for the city and region.