Learning City Network

LCN - The UK Network

Supporting and Promoting Partnerships
at Local, Regional and International level

SHAPING THE FUTURE

"The Learning City Network is an innovative development one which uses learning to promote social cohesion and economic development.
The rapid expansion of the Learning City Network shows that this approach is working and that it offers, real potential."
David Blunkett, Secretary of State for Education and Employment in the foreword to Practice, Progress and Value 1998.

MISSION

LCN exists to:

"Promote the use of lifelong learning for urban regeneration and generation through an exchange of best practice between cities, towns and communities."

"The Learning City Network is a most interesting initiative, whose rapid success in the United Kingdom indicates that its aims and work address the needs of cities and communities to work together, using learning as a key, tool to further social inclusion and urban regeneration."
Domelnico Lenarduzzi, Deputy Director-General European Cornmission

TRACK RECORD

Affiliates

  • LCN founded on the vision of five UK cities

  • First Welsh affiliate

  • First affiliate from Northern Ireland and Australia

  • January -Thirty-three affiliates and expanding

Achievements

  • Supporting affiliates in making the linkages between Learning Communities and Learning Partnerships

  • Learning to Succeed

    • Instrumental in promoting collaboration between partnerships, Government Offices and Regional Development Agencies

  • Urban White Paper

    • Helping to shape the Urban White Paper through discussions with DETR, DfEE and DCMS

  • Practice Progress and Value

    • An evaluation framework, which supports the concept and delivery of Learning Communities

  • Supporting Learning Shop Developments

    • Sharing of promotional strategies and performance indicators

  • European Dimension

    • Partner in the European Commission funded programme "Towards a European Learning Society"
    • Contributor at European level in Learning City agendas

BENEFITS

  • Network opportunities:

    • Regional workshops
    • High level of debate in focused groups
    • Conferences and Seminars

  • Promotion of Learning Communities:

    • Closer links with government
    • Recognition in government and LCN publications
    • Raised local prestige

  • LCN publications:

    • Case study materials
    • Quarterly Update
    • Commissioned reports

"As a 'newcomer' to the lifelong learning field, I have found the documentation you have sent me over the last eighteen months invaluable in building my knowledge and confidence in the field."
Affiliate, London Borough of Hackney

  • Support from fellow Affiliates:

    • Bi-monthly email update
    • Shared expertise and information

  • Professional support and development

    • Induction and Mentoring
    • Job sharing
    • Joint practical projects

"Your suggestion to use LCN to seek advice was excellent, I have had a fantastic response. It really is proof of the concept of partnership."
Nick Hall, Greenwich Education Service

  • Fast access to Government Policy

  • Access to funding opportunities

ORGANISATION

LCN is a company limited by guarantee with pending charitable status.

The Network is run by fee-paying members supported by part-time staff.

LCN is a responsive organisation dedicated to meeting affiliates' changing needs.

The Network provides opportunities to impact on local agendas and Government Policy.

"Learning cities and communities - and their regions - can offer just the right mix of resources, institutional structures, modem technology and cosmopolitan values that allow them to serve as incubators and drivers for the knowledge-based societies of the 21st century."
Kurt Larsen, Principal Administrator, OECD

"LCN is a network of affiliates who can share best practice and debate issues. This is critical for Derby to stay in the forefront against a fast-moving background in this period of transition."
Hilary Whaley, Director, Derby City of Learning Chair of LCN

JOINING

To join this unique, influential network organisation - contact:

Karen Shepperson
Learning City Network Secretariat
111 Grantham Road
Bingham
Nottingham NG13 8DF

Tel: 01949 831 171
Fax: 01949 831 171
Email: lcnsec@btinternet.com

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