Inclusive lifelong learning in cities - Policies and practices for vulnerable groups

Oct 15, 2026

Inclusive lifelong learning in cities examines policies and practices that advance equity and inclusion for vulnerable groups. It frames inclusive learning as extending beyond formal education, supporting meaningful learning across literacy, vocational skills, and citizenship in community, school, library, leisure, university, and digital home settings. The publication structures analysis across sustainable learning cities, digital and data literacies, NEET youth, disability inclusion, refugee and migrant education, and ageing populations, concluding with recommendations for policymakers.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages325

Reading Time13 h 39 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword

Inclusive learning cities and the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction

The case for inclusion in learning cities

Chapter 1 Sustainable learning cities: Inclusion, equity and lifelong learning

Introduction

A conceptual framework

Local implementation of lifelong learning in cities

Learning cities and young people

Learning cities for the digitally excluded

Learning cities and disabilities

Data collection approaches and data sharing with citizens

Conclusion (key trends and issues)

Recommendations

Chapter 2 Digital and data literacies for inclusion of marginalized citizens in learning cities

Inclusive lifelong learning in cities: Policies and practices for vulnerable groups Published in 2021 by UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning Feldbrunnenstraße 58 20148 Hamburg Germany © UNESCO The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) undertakes research, capacitybuilding, networking and publication on lifelong learning with a focus on adult and continuing education, literacy and non-formal basic education. Its publications are a valuable resource for education researchers, planners, policymakers and practitioners. While the programmes of UIL are established along the lines laid down by the General Conference of UNESCO, the publications of the Institute are issued under its sole responsibility. UNESCO is not responsible for their contents. The points of view, selection offacts and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily coincide with official positions of UNESCO or UIL. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO or UIL concerning the legal status of any country or territory, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitations of the frontiers of any country or territory. Copy-edited by Kathleen Parker and Jennifer Kearns-Willerich Layout and design: Rafaela Nimmesgern, Anja Winteroll Cover images: (clockwise, starting top left)© Getty Images / borgogniels © Getty Images / lisegagne © Getty Images / krisda Bisalyaputra © Getty Images / AzmanJaka ISBN 978-92-820-1245-1 This publication is available in Open Access under the Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO (CC-BYSA 3.0 IGO) licence ( [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)[ ](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)[igo/](igo/)) . By using the content of this publication, the users accept to be bound by the terms of use of the UNESCO Open Access Repository ( [http://www. unesco](http://www. unesco). org/open-access/termsuse-ccbysa-en) . →Table of contents Foreword Inclusive learning cities and the COVID-19 pandemic 6 Introduction The case for inclusion in learning cities 10 Chapter 1 Sustainable learning cities: Inclusion, equity and lifelong learning 14 Introduction 14 A conceptual framework 17 Local implementation of lifelong learning in cities 33 Learning cities and young people 40 Learning cities for the digitally excluded 45 Learning cities and disabilities 52 Data collection approaches and data sharing with citizens 56 Conclusion (key trends and issues) 65 Recommendations 68 References 71 Chapter 2 Digital and data literacies for inclusion of marginalized citizens in learning cities 86 Introduction 86 Learning cities (LC) and smart city frameworks 88 What are digital data and data literacies 89 Inclusion in digital and data literacies 92 Vulnerabilities in the face of increasing digital opportunities and creative solutions 97 Key issues and policy recommendations 106 References 111 Chapter 3 Adressing youth at risk (NEETs) 115 Introduction 115 Conceptual framework on inclusion and lifelong learning in cities for youth at risk (NEETs) 119 Examining the ways in which educational and training needs of youth at risk are identified and monitored 128 Examining urban policy, strategy, planning and implementation for the youth-related learning, training and development activities 134 Governance and implementation arrangements 152 Conclusions: Key issues and recommendations for policy-makers 158 References 166 Chapter 4 Sustainable cities: Inclusion, equity and lifelong learning for persons with disabilities 173 Introduction 173 A worldwide panorama of social exclusion for people with disabilities 176 Poverty and disability: A challenge for inclusive, sustainable cities to overcome 182 Sustainability, inclusion and lifelong learning for people with disab

FAQs

How does the publication define inclusive lifelong learning in cities?

Inclusive lifelong learning is treated as equal learning opportunities beyond the formal education system, enabling meaningful and rewarding learning across domains such as literacy, vocational skills, and citizenship skills in varied settings.

Which vulnerable groups are addressed in the report?

The report covers marginalized citizens needing digital and data literacies, youth at risk (NEETs), persons with disabilities, refugees and migrants at the local level, and ageing populations.

What is the publication’s overall policy approach?

It analyzes conceptual frameworks and local implementation, highlights key issues through data collection and monitoring, and ends each major section with conclusions and recommendations for policymakers.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by นรินทร์