The International Network "The City of Children"
Italy, Spain, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Lebanon and Turkey: almost 200 cities in various countries in Europe and Latin America are taking part in the City of Children International Network. The Network is coordinated by the International Laboratory «The city of Children» located in the CNR’s Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie della Cognizione (Institute of Cognition Sciences and Technologies) of Rome.
The Local Networks
Lazio Regional Network
A regional network, consisting of 17 Municipalities and 4 City Halls in Rome, was established in 2014 within the project “Il Lazio, la Regione delle bambine e dei bambini” (Lazio, the Region of Children). This network is coordinated by the Regional Laboratory, jointly managed by ISTC-CNR and Lazio Region – Direzione regionale Capitale Naturale Parchi e Aree Protette. Besides coordinating the network, the Regional Laboratory supports the Municipalities in the implementation of the project activities.
The Italian Network
The Italian Network was formally established in 1996, the year in which the International Laboratory “The City of Children” was set up to support and coordinate it. The Italian Network currently consists of about 60 cities, which differ in size and territory.
The Spanish Network
The Spanish Network was set up in 2016 in Granada at the Parque de las Ciencias museum. It is currently formed of 41 cities participating in the International Project “The city of children”, and different bodies such as museums, associations and universities.
The first meeting, which took place in Granada, was followed by three others: one in Pontevedra (Galicia) in May 2017, one in Hueca (Aragon) in March 2018 and the last in Fuerteventura (Canary Islands) in February 2019. Local networks such as the Basque Country Network and the Network of the Pontevedra Province are active within the National Network.
The Latin American Network
The Latin American Network “La ciudad de los niños” (the city of children) was established in Santa Fe in May 2009. More than 30 Mayors or city representatives from Santa Fe Province, Argentina (including Buenos Aires), Uruguay, Chile and Colombia have signed up for the international project, in the presence of the Governor of Santa Fe Province, Hermes Binner and Francesco Tonucci. Santa Fe Province, by personal request of its governor, opened a Latin American Laboratory of the “The City of Children” project, which, using skills developed in the Rosario experience, promotes and coordinates the Latin American Network, open to the cities of Santa Fe Province, Argentina and Central and South American countries. Currently more than 60 cities have joined the international project through the Network. In particular, there are more than 40 cities in the Santa Fe Province Network, another 17 in Argentina, and others in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Dominican Republic and Uruguay.
If you are already on the International network
The cities which already adhere to the international network, must fill out the form accessible at the following links to appear on the map on the website:
→ If you are a City, click here (English version)
The International Network Activities
The International Network
The International Network aims to provide support to the cities that joined the project, coordinate their activities, and foster exchange and dialogue. The cities of the Network meet during international congresses and local and/or national meetings.
The International Laboratory
The design, development, coordination and research activities on the project are carried out by the International Laboratory.
Among the functions of the International Laboratory are:
- coordination of the Network, collection of subscriptions, collection of experiences, dissemination of results, facilitation of contacts and meetings;
- training, design support, development of support tools for the implementation of activities planned within the project (e.g. manuals);
- evaluation research on the effectiveness of the project in achieving expected results and on the impact of proposed experiences on the various social actors involved (children, parents, local administrators, teachers and school managers).
The International Laboratory hosts the International Documentation Center; furthermore, the following activities take place in the International Laboratory:
- meetings with city administrators who intend to join the project;
- training courses for local administrators, representatives, and the working group.