Peer 2 Peer University (P2PU) is pleased to submit a proposal to run an Action Lab at the Open Education Global 2017 Conference. Borne out of the 2007 Cape Town Open Education declaration, P2PU has grown and evolved with the open ed movement, supporting virtual learning communities, pioneering open badges and most recently, developing learning circles: face-to-face study groups for learners who want to work through online courses, together. Learning circles are relevant to Open for Participation because, through this program, P2PU is using open technology and OER to support local communities, promoting workforce development and lifelong learning, and articulating new pedagogies that spread the promise of MOOCs and OER to a wider audience. By training librarians, community organizers, and volunteers to disseminate online courses to new audiences, P2PU is supporting the growth of formative, non-formal education programs globally.
