The 3rd week-long Lifelong Learning Festival in Limerick hosted a seminar led by Peter Kearns around the theme of international trends and developments in learning cities. Initially designed for the participation of the Limerick City of Learning Steering Group, it was included in the Festival program and opened up to anyone interested in the topic.
The Limerick City of Learning Steering Group was established by the City Development Board in 2002. A Collaborative Framework for Progress was launched in 2008 with a review of progress undertaken in 2009, when Limerick hosted a PASCAL International Conference in that year. Limerick initiated a Lifelong Learning Festival, like Cork, in 2011, with 2013 being the 3rd successful Festival.
Peter Kearns led the discussion reporting on international development in learning cities. Papers supplied to Peter by the Steering Group provided background on the Limerick City of Learning initiative as a basis for an exchange of experience.
Discussion during the meeting focused on current planning to amalgamate the City of Limerick and Limerick County. Developments had made the present boundaries between city and county increasingly less problematic. While the discussion recognised that the process of merging the city and county provided learning opportunities to enhance the quality of life in both city and county areas, it was also recognised that concerns existed on both sides about possible loss of resources.
The option was raised in discussion of looking to the development of towns and villages in the county as learning villages, akin to the Hume Global Learning Village. Aspects such as strengthening the role of heritage and the arts in enhancing the quality of life in towns and village were suggested. This was a useful discussion that raised some general ideas relevant for cities elsewhere.
Following the presentation, there was further discussion with the Steering Group on a Limerick Stimulus Paper for PIE. It was suggested that such a Stimulus Paper should cover the Limerick experience as a City of Learning, the Lifelong Learning Festival and the current process of merging Limerick City and County. This should prove of interest to other cities.
Peter Kearns
Co-director, PASCAL International Exchanges