The partnership between UNESCO and the University of Liège has been strengthened around the development of lifelong learning, in line with the University’s strategic priorities. Several joint initiatives — including the organisation of an international symposium, the City of Liège’s membership of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, and the holding of a forum bringing together European and North American academic partners — have helped reinforce a shared momentum in favour of inclusive and accessible education rooted in local territories.
Context
Against a backdrop of growing inequalities, digital, ecological and social transitions, and a weakening of civic bonds, UNESCO emphasises the importance of consolidating education policies in order to help develop a new social contract based on democratic, humanistic and solidarity-based values.
Objective
The working day organised at UNESCO Headquarters will examine how higher education and adult learning can serve as a decisive lever for reducing inequalities, strengthening social cohesion and supporting citizen participation. Discussions will focus in particular on clarifying institutional responsibilities, the evolution of territorial partnerships within a learning ecosystem, and the identification of mechanisms that enable equitable access to, and effective appropriation of, knowledge and skills.
This meeting also aims to gather cross-cutting analyses from Belgian and international experts on governance models, institutional conditions and the tools needed to make education and lifelong learning a pillar of a renewed social contract, in line with the objectives promoted by Learning Cities.
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8:30-9:00 - Welcome
9:00-9:30 - Opening of the proceedings
Speakers:
- Prof. Q. CHEN, Assistant Director-General for Education, UNESCO
- Prof. A.S. NYSSEN, Rector, University of Liège
9:30-9:40 - Presentation of the day’s programme
Speaker:
- B. BEN LAMINE, Coordinator, University of Liège, Liège Learning City Project
9:40-10:00 - Definition of the framework for the intervention
Speaker:
- Prof. F. SCHOENAERS, Vice-Rector for Education and Student Life, University of Liège
10:00-11:15 - Panel 1: Governance and the limits of the current social contract model
Moderator: D. MOREAU, Manager of Communications for the University of Liège
Participants:
- Dr. I. KEMPF, Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)
- Dr. S. TAWIL, Director of the Future of Learning and Innovation, UNESCO
- Prof. S. BRUNET, University of Liège
- Prof. G. GRANDJEAN, University of Liège
11:15-11:30 - Coffee break
11:30-13:00 - Panel 2: What ecosystem for implementing the new social contract?
Moderator: D. MOREAU, Manager of Communications for the University of Liège
Participants:
- G. MERINO, Director of the Division of Social Policies and Inclusion, UNESCO
- Dr. R. VALDES COTERA, Programme Coordinator, Representative of the French Network of Learning Cities, UIL
- Prof. D. FAULX, University of Liège
- B. BEN LAMINE, Coordinator, ULiège, Liège Learning City
13:00-14:00 - Lunch cocktail
14:00-16:00 - Workshop 1. Learning territories, knowledge mediation and accessibility
Facilitation:
- Prof. J. TELLER, Professor of Urban Planning, University of Liège
- Prof. N. SOBE, Head of the Higher Education Section, UNESCO
Rapporteurs:
- T. BEYER, Programme Coordinator, University of Liège
- Prof. S. BRUNET, Professor of Political Science, University of Liège
14:00-16:00 - Workshop 2. Pedagogy, digital sobriety and inclusion
Facilitation:
- Prof. D. FAULX, Lecturer, University of Liège
- H. HUOT-MARCHAND, Head of Section for Youth, Skills and Literacy, UNESCO
Rapporteurs:
- L. BEUKER, Associate Professor, University of Liège
- Prof. F. SCHOLTES, Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Liège
- M. MACAULEY, Lead of the Healthy Cities Flagship, WHO Academy
16:00-16:30 - Coffee break
16:30-17:00 - Conclusion: Outline of the New Social Contract
Moderator: D. MOREAU, Manager of Communications for the University of Liège
Participants:
- Prof. F. SCHOENAERS, Vice-Rector for Education and Student Life, University of Liège
- Dr. B. CHAKROUN, Director of the Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems, UNESCO
