Commonwealth of Learning
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation established by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 1988 to encourage the development and sharing of open learning and distance education knowledge, resources and technologies.
It is hosted in Canada by the Government of Canada. The major voluntary contributors - currently Canada, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa and the United Kingdom - are each entitled to seats on COL's Board of Governors.
COL also has partnerships with donor and recipient governments and agencies on specific projects and works cooperatively with several national and international development agencies and banks, including not only Commonwealth agencies but other international agencies such as UNESCO, UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNDP, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and the World Bank, as well as national and regional distance education associations and industry.
Mission Statement
Recognising knowledge as key to cultural, social and economic development, the Commonwealth of Learning is committed to assisting Commonwealth member governments to take full advantage of open, distance and technology-mediated learning strategies to provide increased and equitable access to education and training for all their citizens.
Publications
Connections/EdTech News (newsletter); various reports, manuals, policy and operational guides, research studies and papers.
Contact Details
1055 West Hastings Street
Suite 1200, Vancouver
BC V6E 2E9, Canada
Tel + 1 604 775 8200
Fax + 1 604 775 8210
E-mail: info@col.org
www.col.org
Officers
Chair: H.E., the Hon. Burchell Whiteman, O.C.
President and Chief Executive Officer: Sir John Daniel (Canada/UK)
Programmes and Initiatives