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Lowell celebrates UNESCO Learning City designation; council asks city manager to form task force
Summary
After a presentation marking Lowell’s designation as the first UNESCO Learning City in the U.S., the City Council asked the city manager to create a Lowell Learning City Task Force including schools, higher education and cultural partners to coordinate learning initiatives and community engagement.
Lowell officials and partners marked the city’s recent designation as a UNESCO Learning City and asked the City Manager to form a task force to coordinate next steps. The council moved to create a Lowell Learning City Task Force that would include City Council members, the Lowell City of Learning Organization, Lowell Public Schools, UMass Lowell, Middlesex Community College, cultural organizations and city administration.
The presentation, led by a long-time project organizer, outlined how the designation connects Lowell to a global network promoting lifelong learning, inclusion and community resilience. Presenters thanked local partners — UMass Lowell, Middlesex Community College, the Lowell Memorial Library and the Greater Lowell Community Foundation — and cited volunteer organizers who contributed years of work to the effort. The presenters said the designation aims to mobilize resources across sectors to expand learning in neighborhoods, workplaces and public spaces.
Council members from across the chamber praised the achievement and underscored opportunities to deepen neighborhood-based learning. Councilor Chao and Councilor Roark introduced the Task Force motion; councilors discussed membership and conflict‑of‑interest disclosures. The council approved procedurally moving the related agenda item and asked the manager to report back with a scope and membership list.
The council did not adopt prescriptive policy changes at the meeting; instead, members directed staff to stand up the Task Force and return with a plan for coordination and regular progress reports.
