The Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM), led by the Ag. Secretary-General/CEO, Dr. James Njogu, HSC, hosted officials from Makueni County Government led by H.E. Mutula Kilonzo Junior, Governor of Makueni, for a consultative meeting on UNESCO Learning Cities on 21st January 2025 at the KNATCOM offices in Nairobi.
Makueni County is among over 350 Learning Cities across 75 countries worldwide, following its designation as a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) in 2023. It joins other Kenyan counties with the designation, including Nairobi, Kilifi, Laikipia, and Garissa. This recognition affirms the County’s commitment to promoting inclusive, equitable, and quality lifelong learning opportunities for all.
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) is an international initiative that connects cities worldwide to promote lifelong learning for all citizens. Learning Cities encourage education not just in schools, but across communities, workplaces, and online platforms, helping people of all ages gain skills, knowledge, and opportunities to improve their lives. Members of the network share best practices, innovative strategies, and experiences to strengthen formal, non-formal, and informal learning, support sustainable development, and foster inclusive, knowledge-based communities.
The engagement also comprised representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy, and KNATCOM officials. Discussions focused on sharing best practices, exploring collaboration opportunities, and identifying strategies to strengthen lifelong learning systems at the county level, across formal, non-formal, and informal education, including digital skills and workplace learning.
During the meeting, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior highlighted Makueni County’s investments in digital learning for ECDE and TVET institutions and the potential of natural and cultural heritage to support sustainable development. He emphasized the importance of leveraging city-to-city collaboration and implementing innovative approaches to enhance learning for all citizens.
KNATCOM, under the leadership of Dr. James Njogu, HSC, reaffirmed its mandate to coordinate UNESCO programmes in Kenya and its commitment to supporting Makueni County through capacity building, knowledge sharing, and multi-stakeholder collaboration, including engagement with UNESCO networks such as ASPnet, Creative Cities, Biosphere Reserves, and Global Geoparks.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to hold follow-up consultations to advance collaboration under the UNESCO Learning Cities framework, while also exploring strategic engagement in other UNESCO networks, including the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet), the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), and the potential designation of the Chyulu Hills as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and eligible sites as UNESCO Global Geoparks, in support of lifelong learning, sustainable development, and environmental conservation.