UNESCO participated in the opening of the school year in San Nicolás (Chile) and highlighted its inclusion as a Learning City

On Monday, 23 March 2026, UNESCO took part in the official opening ceremony held at the Liceo Bicentenario de Excelencia Polivalente San Nicolás, in the Ñuble Region, together with national, regional and local representatives, including the regional presidential delegate, Diego Sepúlveda; Governor Óscar Crisóstomo; Mayor Víctor Toro Leiva; and the Rector of the University of Chile, Rosa Devés. As host of the event, the school's principal, Víctor Reyes, welcomed the authorities and the educational community.

The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen UNESCO's work with this educational community, which since 2025 has been part of the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet), a global initiative that promotes pedagogical innovation, global citizenship and sustainable development. It also made it possible to reinforce collaboration with local authorities within the framework of the Global Network of Learning Cities, which the municipality of San Nicolás recently joined.

During the day, the international organization highlighted the value of quality public education as a driver of social transformation.

"For UNESCO, it is an honour to be here today in a municipality and school that demonstrate through concrete action that quality public education can change lives and offer opportunities. None of this would be possible without teachers. Behind every achievement there is a teacher who believed in their students and knew how to motivate and support them throughout their learning journeys. The work of teachers is not only about teaching content; it is about shaping individuals and building the future," said Francisco Miguens Campos, Education Specialist at the UNESCO Regional Office in Santiago.

During the event, the UNESCO delegation -which also included Francisca Díaz, Coordinator of the Regional Teacher Strategy- held meetings with the school leadership. In addition, the delegation met with the mayor and his team, during which the municipality's recent international recognition was acknowledged and the importance of partnerships in continuing to strengthen quality, inclusive education suited to the challenges of the twenty-first century was emphasised.