Session
Round Table - 90 Min
Affordable Access
Skills Building for Basic and Advanced Technologies (Meaningful Access)
The UNESCO Open Educational Resources (OER) Dynamic Coalition, which became an official Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Dynamic Coalition in March 2023, aims to support the widespread adoption and use of OER as specified in the UNESCO 2019 Recommendation on OER. This Dynamic Coalition supports the use of digital public goods, namely openly licensed content, for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It works with Member States, the United Nations system, the private sector and other stakeholders to promote open educational content that adhere to privacy and other applicable international and domestic national laws, standards and best practices so that benefits of increased Internet connectivity can be experienced for learning in an inclusive manner. OER are defined in the UNESCO 2019 Recommendation on OER as learning, teaching and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or are under copyright that have been released under an open license, that permit no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, adaptation and redistribution by others. Open license refers to a license that respects the intellectual property rights of the copyright owner and provides permissions granting the public the rights to access, re-use, re-purpose, adapt and redistribute educational materials. This session will examine the role of OER in addressing the challenges of global digital divides and supporting inclusive access to knowledge for learning, particularly as digital platforms for learning become more ubiquitous. This session will highlight how the work of the UNESCO OER Dynamic Coalition supports inclusive access to digital knowledge in the five areas of action of the UNESCO 2019 Recommendation on OER: (i) building capacity of stakeholders to create, access, re-use, adapt and redistribute OER; (ii) developing supportive policy; (iii) encouraging inclusive and equitable quality OER; (iv) nurturing the creation of sustainability models for OER, and (v) facilitating international cooperation. Discussions will include a presentation of best practices on the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on OER in Francophone West Africa through the development of national OER strategies.
This session will also trigger critical policy discussions on 4 domains:
1. How to strengthen capacities for sharing and creation of OER, via a multistakeholder process, with a view to advance digital inclusion?;
2 What is the key role of libraries in ensuring that OER are both accessible and accessed?;
3. How can we work better together to use the power of OER to accelerate progress towards the SDGs?; and
4. How can the UNESCO 2019 Recommendation on OER contribute towards the operationalization of the UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation and feed into the Global Digital Compact, which highlights the importance of an “open” internet?
This session will be in an interactive, multistakeholder panel format with moderation for participation from onsite and remote international and national experts. The expected outcome of this session will be to support the identification of priority initiatives by OER stakeholders that can accelerate sustainable development; a collective willingness to support the implementation of best practices from the OER Dynamic Coalition members; and to support a policy debate in the above-mentioned key areas, with a view to guiding the future activities of this Dynamic Coalition.
The session is designed as a panel discussion and participants will be encouraged to intervene by using the Zoom Q & A function. After the opening remarks, each speaker will have a three-minute slot to reply to a question from the moderator. At the end of the session, an open discussion is envisaged where both online and onsite attendees can participate. Finally, we should have identified a few priorities to address and a few very concrete actions to take.
- Ms. Zeynep Varoglu, Senior Programme Specialist, Section for Universal Access to Information and Digital Inclusion, Communication and Information Sector (UNESCO)
- Mr. Gašper Hrastelj, Secretary General of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO
- Dr. Patrick Paul Walsh, Director, SDG Academy, UN Sustainable Solutions Network (UNSSDN)
- Dr. Lisa Petrides, CEO and founder of the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education (ISKME)
- Dr. Stephen Wyber, Director, Policy and Advocacy, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
- Mr. Neil Butcher, OER Strategist, OER Africa
- Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO
- Dr. Marielza Oliveira, Director, Division for Digital Inclusion, and Policies and Digital Transformation, and Secretary of the Information for All Program (IFAP), Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO
- Mr. Michel Kenmoe, Communication and Information Advisor, UNESCO Dakar
- Mr. Neil Butcher, OER Strategist, OER Africa
- Dr. Tel Amiel, Adjunct Professor and UNESCO Chair in Distance Education, University of Brasilia
- Dr. Lisa Petrides, CEO and founder of the Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education (ISKME)
- Dr. Stephen Wyber, Director, Policy and Advocacy, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
- Dr. Melinda Bandalaria, Chancellor and Professor, University of the Phillipines Open University
- Dr. Patrick Paul Walsh, SDG Academy, UN Sustainable Solutions Network (UNSSDN)
- Mr. Gašper Hrastelj, Secretary General of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO
- Dr Gihan Osman, Senior Advisor for Teaching and Learning Innovations, British University of Cairo
Mr Michel Kenmoe, Communication and Information Advisor, UNESCO Dakar
Ms Zeynep Varoglu, Senior Programme Specialist, Section for Universal Access to Information and Digital Inclusion, Communication and Information Sector (UNESCO)
Mr Neil Butcher, OER Strategist, OER Africa
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
16.10
17. Partnerships for the Goals
Targets: In line with the UN Secretary General’s report on Our Common Agenda, UNESCO supports the implementation of Member States-adopted standards on openly licensed digital education tools through the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Educational Resources (OER) 2019. UNESCO supports the widespread adoption and use of Open Education Resources and capacity-building regarding their access and use for an open, free and secure digital future for all in line with the Global Digital Compact. In this regard, the important role of OER as a digital public good was underscored at the UN Transforming Education Summit, and the implementation of this Recommendation is a key contribution to ensuring open solutions as a means to promote sustainability models and innovation.
Report
To advance digital inclusion through OER, there is a need to go beyond awareness raising and digital skills to access, re-use, create and share OER, to focus on how to make OER more inclusive to the diverse needs of learners. It is important to not focus on a ‘one size fits all' strategy, but to have localized control of content to build a knowledge commons. Stakeholders need incentives to contribute and use this knowledge commons.
The principle of the OER Recommendation that educational resources developed with public funds should be made available as OER is important. Investments should be in ensuring the quality of teaching and learning experiences, to ensure that OER is providing quality, accessible learning for all learners.
Governments and Institutions need to support inclusive accessible OER initiatives that support the knowledge commons.
Initiatives need to be led by the target communities, and the voices of those who will benefit from these initiatives have to be in the conversation. Best practices from other ‘Open Solutions’ – Open Access, Open Data can be useful for ensuring the interoperability of repositories and increased sharing of knowledge through OER.
IGF 2023 DC-OER: The Transformative Role of OER in Digital Inclusion
Report
The IGF 2023 Dynamic Coalition on Open Educational Resources (DC-OER) convened a session under the theme "Digital Divides & Inclusion." In an increasingly interconnected world, access to quality education is paramount, but digital divide and inequalities persist. The IGF 2023 Dynamic Coalition on Open Educational Resources (DC-OER) addressed this pressing issue in a round table discussion, exploring the transformative role of Open Educational Resources (OER) in promoting digital inclusion. The session featured international experts and diverse stakeholders.
The UNESCO and IGF OER Dynamic Coalition showcased its dedication to promoting open educational content while respecting privacy, legal standards, and inclusivity. OER's potential to provide inclusive access to digital knowledge was a key highlight of the session.
The UNESCO OER Recommendation was the main focus of the session as the starting point for a common commitment and political will of Member States towards knowledge sharing through OER. This is the first international normative instrument to embrace the field of openly licensed educational materials and technologies in the UN System.
The Recommendation provides a clear definition of Open Educational Resources, namely that OER are learning, teaching and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or are under copyright that have been released under an open license, which allow no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, adaptation and redistribution by others.
The Recommendation also underscored that an open license is one that respected the intellectual property rights of the copyright owner, while granting the public the rights to access, re-use, re-purpose, adapt and redistribute educational materials.
The five action areas of the 2019 Recommendation on OER were central to the discussion: capacity building, supportive policies, quality and accessibility, sustainability, and international collaboration.
The IGF 2023 session highlighted that OER is not merely a tool; it's a multifaceted solution that demands capacity building, supportive policies, quality, inclusion and accessibility, sustainability, and international collaboration to effectively bridge digital divides. These five pillars represent a collective commitment to unleashing the full potential of OER, empowering the digital era, fostering inclusion, and ensuring that equitable access to quality education is within reach for all.
Capacity building was emphasized as the foundation for effectively bridging digital divides by enabling educators and learners to create, access, and adapt OER.
Dr. Stephen Wyber of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) stressed the pivotal role of supportive OER policies, ensuring that educational resources are accessible to all, regardless of their digital environment.
Quality in OER was underlined as essential for meaningful learning experiences. OER should not contribute to inadequate learning, especially for marginalized individuals. Sustainability models for OER initiatives, including financial strategies, open procurement, inclusive policies, and ongoing community engagement, were highlighted as crucial for OER successes by Dr. Tel Amiel, UNESCO Chair in Distance Education at University of Brasilia (UnB).
For Dr. Patrick Paul Walsh, SDG Academy, UN Sustainable Solutions Network (UNSDSN), International cooperation emerged as a critical pillar of effective OER solutions, emphasizing the interconnected nature of digital education.
The session's insights and recommendations underscored the critical role that OER play in advancing digital inclusion, knowledge accessibility, and quality education for all. As the world continues its digital transformation, the power of OER is set to drive global change, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age. In line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, the session echoed the importance of implementing Member States-adopted standards for openly licensed digital education tools through the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Educational Resources (OER) 2019. It stressed the pivotal role of OER as a digital public good, ensuring an open, free, and secure digital future for all, aligning with the Global Digital Compact.
Key Takeaways:
-
The importance of tailoring OER to diverse learners, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.
-
The call for governments and institutions to support inclusive OER initiatives and promote the knowledge commons (Mr. Neil Butcher, OER Strategist, OER Africa).
-
The necessity of community-led initiatives with input from those they aim to benefit.
-
The session emphasized the role of governments, institutions, and communities in supporting inclusive and accessible OER initiatives, ensuring quality education for all.
-
Capacity building is of paramount importance spanning from creating awareness and optimizing resource utilization to promotion of inclusivity. In alignment with the Recommendation on OER, addressing resource scarcity through the allocation of public funds for openly licensed educational materials and incentivizing educators to embrace OER is a crucial takeaway from the session has recalled Dr. Melinda Bandalaria, Chancellor and Professor, University of the Philippines Open University
Call to Actions:
The session emphasized the role of governments, institutions, and communities in supporting inclusive and accessible OER initiatives, ensuring quality education for all. To realize these objectives, active support for inclusive and accessible OER initiatives was urged. This support should extend to the diverse needs of learners, the promotion of the knowledge commons, and the assurance of quality education for all.
The IGF 2023 DC-OER session serves as a reminder that OER is a catalyst for bridging digital divides and fostering digital inclusion. It's a call for collective action to make digital education truly inclusive and accessible to all.
In conclusion, the IGF 2023 DC-OER session highlighted the transformative potential of OER in bridging digital divides and fostering digital inclusion. The insights and recommendations from the session provide a roadmap for achieving these vital goals in an ever-evolving digital landscape.