Learning Limerick has announced a further commitment to advancing Limerick’s progress as a Learning Region. A partners’ Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday (07 March 2019) and this agreement is a strong statement of their intent and support for the Learning City-Region initiative for Limerick.
All of the organisations involved in Learning Limerick work together to promote awareness of the importance of lifelong learning, and to influence education and skills policy on a local, national and international level.
They also seek to position learning at the centre of development planning in the Limerick region in all communities, sectors and settings.
Learning Limerick is a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, which is an international policy-oriented network providing inspiration, know-how and best practice.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr James Collins said: “The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding reinforces and strengthens the collaboration that is the hallmark of the Learning Limerick initiative. All the signatories realise the importance of lifelong learning, be it for personal or professional reasons, and we all strive to provide the best education opportunities and supports.”
“Learning Limerick and the Learning Limerick Festival has been an important development for the city and county as it brings learning right into the heart of communities allowing people who may think learning is not for them, to get involved.”
The purpose of Learning Limerick is to work in partnership with relevant stakeholders to:
- Promote awareness of the importance of lifelong learning for every person, family, community and workplace in Limerick
- Influence education and skills policy: locally, nationally and internationally
- Position learning at the centre of development planning in the Limerick region, in all communities, sectors and settings
Signing the MoU are the six core funding partners:
- Limerick City and County Council
- Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board
- PAUL Partnership
- University of Limerick
- Mary Immaculate College
- Limerick Institute of Technology
Learning Limerick is delivered by the Learning Limerick Steering Group and one of its main events is an annual Lifelong Learning Festival.
Chairperson of the steering group, Eimear Brophy from Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board said: “The recognition for Limerick as an UNESCO Learning City-Region celebrates both formal and informal learning for all the citizens throughout Limerick City and County. This Memorandum of Understanding highlights our ongoing partnership with agencies and communities to progress lifelong learning.”
Gordon Daly, Director of Social Development with Limerick City and County Council added: “We are very aware of the importance of lifelong learning in our communities right across Limerick. Being a UNESCO Learning City means we will continue to work to improve our services and offering to the people of Limerick. It is with pride that we proclaim we are a UNESCO Learning City and this signing of the Memorandum of Understanding will allow us all to work even more closely together to achieve our goals.”
The signing of the Memorandum also saw the launch of the introduction of Learning Limerick Ambassadors.
The ambassadors are a diverse group of individuals, who themselves have demonstrated that learning is for people of all ages and from all areas. They have a wide variety of needs and interests.
Their main role is to help reach as many people as possible and inspire them to participate in learning, through promoting the idea of lifelong learning in their own communities, workplaces and neighbourhoods.
Richard Kenny, a Limerick Learning Ambassador, living in Limerick City explaining how he got involved: “It started with a basic computer class in the Southill Family Resource Centre and now I’m in UL. This really demonstrates the diversity of learning possibilities in Limerick”
Next month sees the ninth annual Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival from the 8th to 14th of April.
An extensive choice of free events will once again be open to the public throughout Limerick city and county during the festival week.