September 26, 2020: With Mayor Alessandro Tambellini’s announcement today, Lucca joins just four other Italian cities recognized by UNESCO for their commitment to learning and growth as communities. As a member of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities, the city will benefit from policy dialogue and peer learning between member cities.
Lucca was chosen because of its work to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all ages. UNESCO also acknowledged the city’s work to make Lucca inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, goals of the organization.
The UN agency cited Lucca’s backing of educational initiatives: the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Fondazione Campus Lucca, and Istituto Musicale Boccherini, as well as its cultural initiatives: Teatro del Giglio, Biblioteca Pubblica, Musei Agora, Scuola della Pace. Annual events like Lucca Comics & Games, Lucca Classica, Il Summer Festival and Incontri sul Bello further demonstrated the city’s commitment to furthering understanding and the desire to know.
“I am very very happy for all Lucchesi that we were able to finally bring home from UNESCO this important and prestigious international recognition,” said Ilaria Vietina, assessor for political formation for the City of Lucca. Lucca joins Torino, Palermo, Trieste and Fermo in Italy, as well as 225 other cities in 63 countries who have attained the honor.