Two Moroccan Cities Join the Global Network of Learning Cities

UNESCO Recognizes Casablanca and Oujda as Learning Cities

On Friday, UNESCO announced from Paris the inclusion of Casablanca and Oujda in its Global Network of Learning Cities, welcoming 72 new municipalities from 46 countries. This international recognition honors the “exceptional commitment” of these two Moroccan cities to ensure the right to education for all, at any age, realized at the local level.

Casablanca: An Urban Project Centered on Lifelong Learning

Casablanca’s mayor, Nabila Rmili, emphasizes that “lifelong learning is at the heart of the learning city project,” enabling citizens to adapt to shifts in the job market as well as urban and climate challenges. She explains that the metropolis collaborates with educational, economic, and community sectors to build an inclusive learning environment, convinced that “investment in ongoing training strengthens skills, inclusion, and collective resilience.”

Oujda: Inclusion and Sustainability at the Core of Its Approach

For Oujda’s mayor, Mohamed Azzaoui, lifelong learning is “essential for building an inclusive and resilient society.” He asserts that this dynamic helps develop citizens’ skills, supports the local economy, and prepares the city to be more innovative, equitable, and sustainable, in line with contemporary economic transformations.

UNESCO Commends the Educational Commitment of Cities

The Assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini, reminds us that “education is not confined to classrooms,” and that cities play a crucial role in promoting lifelong learning. She highlights that new learning cities “redefine education” by transforming streets, libraries, museums, workplaces, and homes into open and innovative learning spaces.

A Growing Global Network

With the inclusion of Casablanca and Oujda, the Global Network of Learning Cities—launched in 2013—now encompasses 425 cities in 91 countries, providing lifelong learning opportunities to nearly 500 million citizens. For UNESCO, learning cities are dynamic communities where education is integrated into daily life: facilitating career transitions, offering literacy courses, mentoring in the face of growing AI developments, and fostering entrepreneurship.