ICDE, International Council for Open and Distance Education

27/08/2026

The journey to the 31st ICDE World Conference 2027 starts this September in the Philippines.

Bringing together voices from across the education community, ICDE's knowledge dialogues will create space for meaningful exchange on the challenges and opportunities shaping education today.

👉Follow ICDE and UPOU to stay updated.

🌍Learn more about the World Conference: https://registration.floq.live/icde-2027

Charting the course toward the future of learning

The journey to the International Council for Open and Distance Education World Conference 2027 begins this September in the Philippines.

Through a series of Knowledge Dialogues in Cebu and Metro Manila, education leaders, policymakers, development organizations, universities, and innovators will explore shared solutions to today's most pressing education challenges.

These conversations mark the first steps toward ICDEWC2027, strengthening collaboration for the future of inclusive, flexible, and scalable education.

23 September 2026 | Cebu
25 September 2026 | Metro Manila

Stay tuned for more details as we navigate the road to ICDE2027.

21/08/2026

On the last day of the 2026 Global Smart Education Conference, ICDE Secretary General Torunn Gjelsvik delivered the keynote “Open Lifelong and Borderless Learning: Designing Inclusive Pathways for Every Learner.”

Several ICDE members also attended the session: The Open University of China, Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, and Contact North | Contact Nord.

Their contributions demonstrate the diversity of approaches needed to truly support lifelong learning globally and current examples from different demographic, cultural, technological and topical contexts.

We hope to learn more from these and many more examples at Lillehammer, Norway in February 2027.

📢 The Call for Contributions is still open: https://www.lillehammerlll.no/contributions-2027/

👉 Join us in shaping the future of open, lifelong, and inclusive learning.

19/08/2026

💡How is AI reshaping the future of education?

ICDE Secretary General Torunn Gjelsvik is in Beijing this week for the 2026 Global Smart Education Conference, where participants are exploring how AI is reshaping education.

Torunn moderated the plenary session “Rethinking Education in the Age of Intelligence,” highlighting both the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly AI-driven educational landscape.

She also took part in the GSENet Partners Meeting, presenting key ICDE activities and promoting the Lillehammer Lifelong Learning ICDE Conference to the network's partner organisations.

These conversations highlighted the importance of international collaboration and lifelong learning as education continues to evolve in the age of AI.

📍 Follow ICDE for more updates from the Global Smart Education Conference.

🗓️ Mark your calendar for the Lillehammer Lifelong Learning ICDE Conference in 2027: https://www.lillehammerlll.no

18/08/2026

Only one month remains to submit your abstract for the Lillehammer Lifelong Learning ICDE Conference 2027.

🗓️ Deadline: 18 September 2026

As lifelong learning becomes increasingly important across education, work, and communities, we invite contributors to share insights and innovative approaches that support learning throughout life.

Join us in Lillehammer, Norway, 15–17 February 2027, and help shape the future of lifelong learning.

🔗 Learn more and submit your abstract: https://www.lillehammerlll.no/contributions-2027/

👉 While preparing your submission, enjoy a look back at previous conferences hosted with Senter for livslang læring (SELL)

Lifelong Learning Conference

14/08/2026

📢 The Call for Abstracts is now open — 8th African Council for Distance Education Triennial Conference & General Assembly.

Hosted by the University of South Africa (UNISA), this gathering will explore the future of open, distance, digital and online learning (ODeL) across Africa and beyond.

We are excited to see two ICDE institutional members, ACDE and UNISA, creating a platform for dialogue that strengthens higher education globally.

🗓️12–16 April 2027
📍Cape Town, South Africa.

🔗 Explore the conference themes and submission guidelines: https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/News-&-Media/Calendar-&-events/African-Council-for-Distance-Education-Conference-2027/Conference-themes

Follow ICDE for more opportunities, events and insights from our global community.

06/08/2026

An invitation for scholars to exchange ideas across borders. 🌏

ICDE member Shanghai Open University (SOU) is inviting scholars worldwide to apply for its 2026 International Visiting Scholar Program.

Up to 15 fellows will spend two weeks in Shanghai (15–28 October 2026), blending in-person collaboration with online exchange to build lasting academic connections in open and distance learning.

🗓️ Deadline to apply: 31 August 2026

🔗 Learn more and apply: https://iie.sou.edu.cn/ien/2026/0702/c9123a155119/page.htm

04/08/2026

Lifelong learning has the potential to drive positive change far beyond the classroom. 📚

From strengthening communities to supporting sustainable development and creating opportunities for participation and growth, learning plays a critical role in building a more resilient future.

The fourth theme of the Lillehammer Lifelong Learning ICDE Conference 2027 invites contributions that explore the policies, leadership approaches, and quality frameworks that can strengthen the social impact of lifelong learning.

🔗 Learn more about the conference topics and submit your contribution: https://www.lillehammerlll.no/themes-2027/

🎓 Theme 4 of 4 · Policy, Quality, and Societal Impact

How can lifelong learning contribute to inclusion, resilience, and sustainable development?

At the Lillehammer Lifelong Learning ICDE Conference 2027, this theme explores:
• policy and funding
• quality development
• institutional leadership
And more...

🔗 Find out about all the subthemes and submit your contribution: www.lillehammerlll.no/contributions-2027/

ICDE, International Council for Open and Distance Education

29/07/2026

Advancing inclusive, scalable and sustainable education requires collaboration grounded in real-world contexts.💡

Through the Global Advocacy Campaign, ICDE brings members together to co-develop advocacy that reflects regional realities while contributing to a coordinated global voice.

By working through regional task forces, institutions and professionals collaborate, share evidence, and engage in policy discussions that help shape more equitable and accessible education systems worldwide.

Each region brings unique perspectives, challenges, and solutions — and this diversity is what strengthens the global effort.

👉 Learn more about the GAC ang get involved: https://icde.org/global-advocacy-campaign/

🔗 Not yet an ICDE member? Become a member to help strengthen ICDE's global advocacy and be part of the conversation: https://icde.org/become-a-member/

Become a member of our unique, global network of experts and advocates within inclusive education. Together, we can bring education to all. Member benefits include Complete the form below to be considered for membership. Your application will be processed within 30 days. Educational institutions tha...

27/07/2026

The ICDE Oceania Task Force has published an advocacy paper demonstrating how regional collaboration can translate policy discussions into concrete recommendations. 📚

Published by FLANZ (Flexible Learning Association of New Zealand), the paper highlights how online networked learning can help address systemic gaps and improve equitable access to education — particularly for learners in rural and underserved communities.

Building on insights from the ICDE Education Policy Forum 2025, the paper shows how global advocacy efforts can inform national policy and strengthen education systems.

🔗 Read the full paper: https://flanz.org.nz/2026/03/13/flanz-announces-release-of-new-advocacy-paper-on-online-networked-learning/

Learn more about the ICDE Education Policy Forum 2025: https://icde.org/publication/icde-education-policy-forum-report/

23/07/2026

Inclusivity, sustainability, and scalability in open and distance education look different in every region.

As part of ICDE’s Global Advocacy Campaign, the Latin America Task Force is exploring what these concepts mean across Latin America and the Caribbean.

In this clip, Task Force Co-Lead Mary Morocho shares what it takes to scale distance education in the region, highlighting why regional perspectives matter.

🎬 Watch the full video and discover more insights from the Task Force: https://vimeo.com/showcase/12278114?share=copy&fl=sc&fe=fs

👉 Follow ICDE for more Global Advocacy Campaign updates.