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PRINCIPLES FOR PARLIAMENTS TO UPHOLD BRIDGING THE GAP: THE COMMONWEALTH OF LEARNING AND THE COMMONWEALTH CHARTER
In the sphere of international diplomacy, where declarations and charters often fall victim to verbosity, the Commonwealth Charter of 20131 shines as an illuminating beacon. Its articulation of principles central to the democratic fabric – human rights, the rule of law, and sustainable development – does not merely resonate on paper but finds tangible manifestations in today's pressing global challenges. The interplay of these principles with current imperatives such as gender equality, environmental stewardship and the welfare of vulnerable youth is particularly intriguing.
Since 1987, the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) has played a pivotal role in crystallising these ideals into reality. Partnerships are at the core of COL’s work. Hosted by the Government of Canada with headquarters in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, COL is the world’s only intergovernmental organisation solely concerned with the promotion and development of distance education and open learning.
Learning for Sustainable Development: A Delicate Balancing Act
The global clarion call for "sustainable, inclusive economic growth and transparent governance" finds an echo in the Commonwealth Charter, and COL's alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) serves as a testament to this commitment.
Since adopting Learning for Sustainable Development as its framework for action in 2015, COL has been at the forefront of integrating lifelong and distance learning at all levels with the development of open educational resources. Tailoring solutions to the diverse and unique challenges faced by Commonwealth countries, COL’s work stands as a harbinger of economic progress that aligns with environmental sustainability and social equity. Through support for policymaking, capacity building of professionals in the education sector and increasing access to learners for skill development and livelihood improvement, COL has contributed to helping impact all three dimensions of economic empowerment, social inclusion and environmental conservation. Innovation is at the heart of COL’s work with Member States.
Gender Equality: From Rhetoric to Realisation
The Commonwealth Charter's emphasis on gender equality and women's empowerment has been met with more than just verbal agreement. Through COL's unwavering commitment to these principles, tangible steps have been taken to empower women and girls in far-flung and under-resourced regions. For instance, in Bangladesh's Sundarbans region, COL's collaboration with local organisations has opened up technology-enabled centres, bringing online skill training to thousands of women for the first time. COL’s GIRLS Inspire2 initiative has trained approximately 130,000 women in skills for income generation. Most live in disadvantaged circumstances and locations in member countries in Africa, Asia and the small island developing nations of the Pacific.
CommonwealthWiseWomen3 is a unique initiative that brings together foremost women leaders and experts in Commonwealth countries to mentor aspiring younger women in living and working in remote locations, benefitting hundreds. Through its work in gaining formal recognition for its outcomes of informal learning, COL has facilitated the linking of over 80,000 learners in the last two years to traditional financial resources. Most of the learners are women. Such initiatives translate grand pronouncements into concrete actions, reflecting a genuine realisation of the Charter's goals.
Environmental Stewardship: Crafting a Green Learning Agenda
Environmental sustainability is no longer a mere buzzword; it's an imperative that commands global attention. The Commonwealth Charter's focus on "sustainable development and environmental protection" finds a passionate advocate in COL. Working closely with Ministers of Education, universities and NGOs, the organisation has laid down a Green Learning Agenda4 that is robust and multifaceted.
Reduction, Raising awareness, Reskilling, and Resilience – these four R's are at the heart of the COL's push for climate action in education. COL’s advocacy of open and distance learning (ODL) – based on sound practices for control of carbon emissions for ODL – has a carbon footprint that is just one-third of typical face-to-face learning.
Besides offering open online courses for thousands of learners on the Blue Economy and adaptation to climate change, COL’s work with assetless farmers has focused on teaching techniques of soil and water-conserving agriculture. The farmers are reached using innovative methods that involve basic mobile phones. Over the last two years, nearly 50,000 have undergone such training in eleven countries alone. Over 150,000 teachers have received training through COL’s Green Teacher programme in Africa and Asia. Whether it's large-scale online courses on environmental literacy or the empowerment of assetless farmers, the green learning agenda bears testimony to COL's comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship.
Addressing Youth: A Future Ensured
The Commonwealth Charter's commitment to ensuring access to essential human needs has energised COL's initiatives targeting youth. Through its well-regarded Open Schooling initiative, spanning countries across the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, the organisation's outreach towards out-of-school youths is indeed expansive. The COVID-19 pandemic, rather than stalling these efforts, has provided a platform for innovation through partnerships with global educational leaders like Coursera, Google and Udemy. COL has admitted about 350,000 citizens from 20 Commonwealth countries in the effort to offer skills development online. These collaborations have tangibly impacted the lives of youths across the Commonwealth. Some governments have mainstreamed the partnerships using their own resources due to their relevance, as well as the immediacy of outcomes. A recent example is the development of a new soil testing service by an entrepreneur in Kenya who underwent an online course on the Internet of Things (IoT) with COL’s support.
Small States of the Commonwealth: A Resilient Outlook
For the Commonwealth, Small States aren’t merely geographical entities; they represent a diverse, rich cultural tapestry. The Commonwealth Charter's commitment to assist small states is manifested through COL's pioneering Virtual University for the Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC), which has developed a unique Transnational Qualifications Framework (TQF) to facilitate the mobility of qualifications and courses across national boundaries. While the disruption caused by COVID-19 led to learning losses everywhere, COL’s support to Small States has been both timely and transformative. In Trinidad and Tobago, almost 50% of school teachers were trained by COL to shift to online teaching during the disruption. COL has also trained over 5,000 teachers in digital literacy and the use and adoption of OER in the nine Small Island Developing States in the Pacific. These actions, including the ongoing fortification of data management systems in Ministries of Education in some Pacific countries, are vital building blocks in enhancing the resilience of Small Island nations. Building resilience is the stated priority of the Pacific Ministers of Education. Besides building teachers’ capacities, COL’s work also contributes to climate-proofing the education infrastructure.
From Aspiration to Action: A Dynamic Partnership
The Commonwealth Charter, far from a lifeless document, pulses with commitment. Through the determined work of the Commonwealth of Learning, its lofty ideals find expression across the Commonwealth's expansive geography and rich cultural mosaic.
The transition from idea to implementation is complex. However, COL's achievements illuminate what can be attained through determination, collaboration and alignment with shared values. For Commonwealth Parliamentarians, these successes not only inspire but serve as concrete examples of possibility.
In a time often marred by the disconnect between promise and fulfilment, the Commonwealth of Learning stands as a beacon of hope. By adeptly bridging the gap between the Commonwealth Charter's noble intentions and the urgent needs of our era, COL underscores that focused action can indeed forge an equitable and sustainable future. It resonates as a profound reminder that words when paired with steadfast resolve and purposeful action, can catalyse collective progress.
The triumph of the Commonwealth of Learning is a true testament to the potency of partnerships. When allies harmonise, they compose a symphony filled with hope, inclusivity and a mutual commitment to a luminous future. This achievement transcends the Commonwealth, presenting a model for global collaboration in an increasingly interdependent world.
To find out about the work of the Commonwealth of Learning visit www.col.org
