I would like to express my appreciation to the Conference organizers and, in particular, to Prof. Rory McGreal, for having convened this conference and for having given me the opportunity to make some opening remarks. I do so on behalf of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.
I will speak briefly about UNESCO and would then like to leave you with two suggestions for your consideration.
UNESCO
UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is the United Nations organization constituted shortly after World War II to “build peace in the minds of men” through work in three mandate areas: education, science, and culture.
Since that time, UNESCO’s purpose has been extended beyond peace to include sustainability and equity. The mandate areas have been widened to include communication and information. And the focus has been broadened to include men and women. In the context of peace, children are now accorded increased importance, partly because of the emergence of child soldiers and the problem of bullying.
UNESCO and Open Education
Your work in Open Education and Open Educational Resources (OERs) aligns with UNESCO’s mandate and UNESCO endorses your work enthusiastically. A tangible manifestation of the endorsement is UNESCO’s support for the Declaration of the World Open Educational Resources Congress held at UNESCO in Paris in 2012.
I understand that this Declaration has been helpful to many of you in receiving recognition for your work, undertaking fruitful collaborations, and securing funds.
Due to the benefits of Open Education and Open Educational Resources, UNESCO and, no doubt, you would like to see the Declaration implemented to the fullest extent.
Two Suggestions
Let me now bring two suggestions to your attention that, I believe, harmonize with the thinking of UNESCO, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, the needs of society, and your interests.
Both suggestions are focused on creating more peaceful, harmonious and productive lives for citizens of the world. The suggestions are based on the realization that Open Educational Resources are available at no or very low cost to learners. The Resources are also increasingly available via the internet, i.e., without the impediments of geography and time.
- OERs for Parents and Families
My first suggestion is to create and disseminate open educational resources relevant to parents and families so that they can become more informed citizens, provide better educational support for their children, and are better able to cope with the challenges of daily life. Subjects may include enhancing literacy and numeracy, motivating children to continue their education, mastering the fundamentals of saving and finances, respecting cultures and diversity, preserving wellness, and deepening the understanding of ethics.
The suggested Open Learning Resources would not be aimed at acquiring credentials, such as a certificates and degrees, but they would be designed to support and create a better life for individuals, their families and their communities.
- OERs for Refugees, Displaced Persons and Asylum Seekers
My second suggestion is to develop OERs for learners who find themselves in refugee camps, camps for displaced persons, and camps for asylum seekers.
There are presently over 15 million internationally displaced persons and refugees in the world. In addition, there are almost 1 million asylum seekers.
While many of them are poor or have become poor, they are rich in one respect: they have time – time that is available to learn.
There are many situations where security, health, and food concerns dominate daily lives, but there are also others where refugees, displaced persons and asylum seekers have little to do and have time to spare.
With some mentors on the ground, with appropriate OERs and with effective internet connections, refugees, displaced persons and asylum seekers could advance their knowledge and understanding. Such advancement would help them immeasurably while in camp as well as when they re-enter normal life.
The important question is therefore: Can OERs, when appropriately provided and mediated, help to alleviate and speed the transition of refugees, displaced persons and asylum seekers back into normal life?
I think that the answer is ‘yes’.
Conclusion
I hope that my two suggestions will give you food for thought. I look forward to discussing them as well as other ideas with you over the next few days.
On behalf of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, I wish you a successful and rewarding conference.