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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recognized four Armenian towns – Sisian, Dilijan, Sevan, and Gyumri - among its Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), Armenia’s ministry of foreign affairs reported.

According to the statement, UNESCO established the Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically its 4th Goal to encourage the growth of learning cities, accelerating the practice of lifelong learning in the world’s metropolitan areas. The launch of the initiative along with its Award took place in Mexico City on September 28-30, 2015 at the 2nd International Conference on Learning Cities.

The cities that become GNLC members benefit from participating in international policy dialogue, action research, capacity building and peer learning, and effectively using learning city approaches to promote lifelong learning for their citizens.

Any council or other elected body of an administrative unit with at least 10 000 residents may apply to become a member of the UNESCO GNLC if they commit to develop a learning city, pledge to implement the guiding documents of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities - Beijing Declaration on Building Learning Cities and Key Features of Learning Cities.  The Armenian National Commission for UNESCO is authorized to review and approve applications, the ministry said.