The International Council for Open and Distance Learning (ICDE) Global Advocacy Campaign (GAC) for Open and Flexible Distance Learning (OFDL) Task Force for Asia convened for its first meeting on 10 May 2022. University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Chancellor, Dr. Melinda dela Pena Bandalaria participated in the meeting as the co-chair of the GACOFDL Task Force for Asia.
First Meeting of the ICDE GACOFDL Task Force for Asia was held on 10 May 2022. Image from Dr. Bandalaria’s Facebook Page
The meeting was held online and started with the welcome of the ICDE Secretary-General, Torunn Gjelsvik. The initial meeting of the group revolved around the GAC OFDL Kit and what customization options the team can take to cater to the needs of the region. In addition, the team discussed and appointed working groups for activities related to the advocacy kit in terms of policy, capacity building, sharing of best practices and possible future collaboration that the group can explore.
Dr. Bandalaria commented that “OER will also be a major component of the [Global Advocacy] campaign.” She also expressed that she is “Happy to have representatives from Thailand, India, China, Japan, and Hongkong in addition to Malaysia and Philippines. Of course SEAMES can cover other ASEAN countries as well.”
The ICDE GAC enables ICDE members to develop deeper understanding of regional challenges and construct key OFDL messaging within organized working groups around the world. For information on this advocacy, visit the ICDE Website.
Photo of the Meeting 5 of the ICDE OERAC shared by Dr. Bandalaria on her Facebook Page
On 16 May 2022, Dr. Bandalaria also participated in the Meeting 5 of the ICDE Open Education Resources Advocacy Committee (OERAC). Dr. Ebba Ossiannilsson, Chair of the ICDE OERAC and Fellow Ambassador for OER, expressed her gratitude to Dr. Bandalaria for her sharing and contributions to the meeting. Dr. Ossianilsson is the Vice President of the Swedish Association for Distance Education.
Sustainable Development Goals
Written by Anna Cañas-Llamas
Edited by Myra C. Almodiel
Photos from Dr. Melinda Bandalaria’s Facebook Page
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