Learning Cities in Saudi Arabia

Learning Cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are Saudi cities enlisted in the Global Network of Learning Cities. As of 2024, five Saudi cities have been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Notably, al-Jubayl Industrial City won the UNESCO Learning City Awardee in 2021.

UNESCO defines a learning city as a city that effectively mobilizes its resources in every sector to promote inclusive learning, revitalizes the desire to learn to facilitate the learning process, utilizes modern educational technologies, enhances the quality and excellence in learning, and fosters a culture of learning throughout life.

The UNESCO approach to learning cities was agreed upon during the First International Conference on Learning Cities in Beijing in 2013. The Beijing Declaration defined the concept of a learning city and was later developed further by identifying the key features of learning cities. Subsequently, the Mexico City Statement in 2015 outlined eight strategic orientations for sustainable learning cities.

Learning cities promote lifelong learning for all, from basic to higher education. They also stimulate learning within families and local communities, facilitate learning for work, and expand the use of modern learning tools to foster a culture of lifelong learning.

Additionally, learning cities encourage education for sustainable development as a means of raising awareness about climate change, pollution, and risks to mental and physical health, as well as the need to protect the environment.

Learning cities also contribute to enhancing the quality and excellence of learning, mobilizing resources effectively across all sectors to promote inclusive learning, from basic to higher education. They also revitalize the desire to learn in families and communities, facilitating learning in the workplace and for employment. They also expand the use of modern learning technologies, while fostering a culture of learning and reinforcing quality and excellence in the field of education.

Furthermore, learning cities mobilize resources across all sectors to enhance individual capacities, social cohesion, and economic and cultural growth of communities, ultimately achieving sustainable development goals and expanding the use of modern learning technologies.

In 2020, UNESCO designated al-Jubayl Industrial City as the first Saudi learning city. Subsequently, in 2022, Yanbu Industrial City was recognized as a 'Global Learning City.'

The Ministry of Education has collaborated with local and international institutions, such as the UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence and the National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, to transform al-Jubayl Industrial City into the Kingdom's first learning city. The initiative aims to promote inclusive education for all, from basic to higher education, foster a lifelong learning culture within Saudi society, facilitate learning within the workplace, expand the use of modern technologies, and enhance the quality and excellence of learning.

In February 2024, UNESCO approved the inclusion of three new Saudi cities into its Global Network of Learning Cities: al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, King Abdullah Economic City in Jeddah, and al-Ahsa Governorate as part of the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science's efforts.

As a result, the number of Saudi cities within the global network has increased to five learning cities, contributing to the development and qualification of globally competitive citizens in line with the targets of sustainable development and Saudi Vision 2030.

The Kingdom is committed to quality education, providing lifelong learning opportunities for all members of society, and fostering policies that promote sustainable intellectual development.

The Learning Cities Project is an initiative undertaken by the Ministry of Education, specifically the General Directorate of Continuous Education, in partnership with the Royal Commission in Yanbu and in coordination with the National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science. It aims to foster a lifelong learning culture within society, equip individuals of all ages with the skills necessary to support national development, and prepare citizens for the job market. This aligns with the Ministry's objectives of developing a globally competitive workforce and achieving the targets of the Sustainable Development and Saudi Vision 2030.

The Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Royal Commission of Yanbu, is working to implement UNESCO's standards for learning cities. Key initiatives include providing lifelong learning opportunities for all citizens, offering necessary information, guidance, and support, establishing and promoting family and community learning spaces, identifying and addressing learners' needs within a learner-centered city environment, supporting individuals with special educational needs and the unemployed, and assisting public and private institutions in becoming learning organizations.

The National Committee for Education, Culture, and Science aims to increase the number of learning cities within UNESCO's Global Network of Learning Cities. UNESCO's Global Network of Learning Cities, established in 2012 under the auspices of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, seeks to support and improve lifelong learning practices in cities worldwide. It achieves this by fostering dialogue on education policies, building connections between city administrators and various educational institutions, and promoting partnerships between cities at the local and international levels.

On October 27, 2021, al-Jubayl Industrial City became a UNESCO Learning City Awardee. This recognition was bestowed upon al-Jubayl Industrial City after submitting a comprehensive application, coordinated with the Ministry of Education and the National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, to participate in the UNESCO Global Learning Cities Award. The award ceremony took place during the fifth International Conference on Learning Cities in South Korea, from October 27 to 30, 2021.

The award is presented to outstanding members of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities who have demonstrated significant progress in promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. This award recognizes and rewards exceptional efforts to develop learning cities and showcase best practices in enhancing education and lifelong learning opportunities for all communities worldwide.