Learning cities, learning regions, learning communities : lifelong learning and local government / Norman Longworth.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Longworth, Norman.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Continuing education.

Adult education.

Local government.

Physical Description:

xii, 230 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Routledge, 2006.

Summary:

The cities, towns and regions in which we live are dynamic, exciting places that are set to evolve more rapidly than ever in the immediate future. As a result, local and regional authorities are re-inventing themselves as Learning Cities, Towns and Regions, where the development of human and social potential takes first priority. Across the six continents, local, regional and national governments now recognise that the opportunities they create can open the door to a brighter future for all their citizens.

This indispensable and visionary book explores the mental and social landscape of the city of today and tomorrow; the way in which organisations and people act, interact, learn and live with and among each other; and the crucial role of local administrations, learning providers, workplaces and other stakeholders in creating a better vision of the future. Learning Cities, Learning Regions, Learning Communities addresses the urgent need for a guide to the principles and practices of lifelong learning for everyone in the cities, towns and regions of every country. Among the many stimulating topics are: The origins, development and main characteristics of the learning cities and regions concept and the reason why it is so important in today's world; The many tools and techniques usable by cities, towns, regions and their stakeholders to energise participation and help create a culture of learning; A proposed global role for cities and regions to help combat the blinkered ignorance, blinding poverty and militant terror that may ultimately engulf us all.

But the author's main thesis is that learning cities, towns and regions will not happen unless their decision-makers, their managers and professionals and a large number of their citizens become co-creators in their construction. This highly readable and fascinating book therefore identifies learning materials available from the internet that can be used to educate people from all walks of life and all backgrounds. In particular, it pinpoints those lessons, exercises and assignments specially written to support the ideas, experiences, case studies and recommendations contained in the book's nine chapters. Councillors, managers, administrators and professionals in local, regional and national government, and their stakeholder institutions in workplaces, universities, learning providers and voluntary and community organisations - anyone with an interest in the future will find this book highly readable, fascinating and practically useful.

Contents:

Renewing, researching, refining : making sense of learning cities and regions

Defining, dissecting, deepening : learning communities, cities, regions and organisations

Constructing, contracting, commemorating : tools, techniques, charters and festivals for learning cities and regions

Measuring, monitoring, managing : tools and techniques for measuring and monitoring learning cities and regions

Equipping, empowering, enriching : tools and techniques for activating learning in learning cities and regions

Participating, partnering, profiting : tools and techniques for involving stakeholders in learning cities and regions

Consulting, convincing, contributing : tools and techniques for citizen participation in learning cities and regions

Imagining, internationalising, interconnecting : global roles, global opportunities for learning cities and regions

Summarising, strengthening, sustaining : putting it all together.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [223]-228) and index.

Includes web resources.

ISBN:

0415371740

0415371759

OCLC:

61229640

Publisher Number:

9780415371742 (hbk. : alk. paper)

9780415371759 (pbk. : alk. paper)