 Okay, good afternoon everybody. I think that we can start with this session. Hope you had a good coffee break or tea break Thank you for joining this session. We are going to tell you a very about a very special network called a network of open organizations Which was formed in March 2020 and I would also like to welcome on the stage other network members That includes from right to left cable green from clear your comments paola corti from spark Europe and polimi DJ DJ, what's your designation? DJ again? in Idaho State Board of Education. Thank you Paul Paul Stacey Paul Stacey Roy global something. Yeah, and Juliana Greatly Julien Greenlee from ICD and much more or less from open education global So these are just the ones who are attending the session today These are representing these individuals are representing different organizations And obviously myself as he got less go from open education global So the network of open organizations comprises numerous organizations and also leaders in open education And it has been coordinated by open education global Since pretty much March 2020 As you can see the membership includes numerous organizations at this point in time So that's creative commons as well spark spark Europe the Idaho state of board education ICD as Well as Wikimedia Wikimedia Foundation European Institute for Learning Innovation and Cooperation We have got ISC me. We have got ICD or your advocacy committee. We have got several IGOs including UNESCO So you can you can see from the list of this. It's a fairly extensive membership in the network It was really initiated in response to the UNESCO your recommendation that was adopted in 2019 and at that point in time at open education global specifically and I must just say that also Paul was very instrumental behind the conceptualization of the network and the formalization as well We were thinking about what we can do as organization to support the implementation of the of the recommendation And then we also realized that actually there are many other players many other organizations that are trying to do something about it And so we decided that it's better to actually join forces and to cooperate Rather than duplicate efforts And so that was the main idea behind the formation of the network and there was an initial meeting actually in March 2020 After the four months after the recommendation was adopted when we met in Paris with several other organizations That was lead the meeting was led by open education global again with Paul's as well here It was actually a strange meeting wasn't it? Yeah, because That was that was yeah when covid started hitting and so we remembered and we came to Paris and we started watching those statistics And it was like a hundred cases and everybody was really starting to get worried And so we just got out and I think a couple of weeks later the entire world shut down for quite a long time So in any case we managed to formalize the network during that meeting which was wonderful and We have really the objective of the network initially was to really implement To support the implementation of the UNESCO YAR recommendation, but the mission has since evolved We also work on sort of large-scale open education efforts that require coordinated action And that's the main reason now behind the networks Existence but obviously we still support implementation of the UNESCO YAR recommendation as well We are you know the membership in the network is really open to any organization that is supporting the mission The vision or the philosophy of the network you will be able to read up about all of those on the networks website We will share the link with you towards the end of the presentation And the way that this works is that members we meet monthly during like coordination meetings And where we share respective updates organizational updates about what we are doing in support of the UNESCO YAR recommendation And other open education events and that we are our activities that we are working on We also discuss possibilities for promoting the network during different events such as this one for example today We also dedicate some time to discussing big picture ideas or items For example, there's been some discussions about the role of policies or effectiveness of open education policies Vicky data for education or the role of AI in open which was also led by Paul recently all of these outputs are available on the network website and Obviously all of this is done collaboratively so participating organizations at the agenda take notes collaboratively Yeah, there is but the overall coordination is taken by by open education global and just to share with you a couple of these Outputs that we worked on collaboratively as a network This is one of those is the OER recommendations actions metrics So when the recommendation was adopted we started thinking what can we do as the network to support the implementation of the recommendation and So the metrics actually proposes some very concrete action areas for both governments and institutions that they can consider to help With the implement to help support the implementation efforts under the five main Action areas, so it's kind of like a guide And this is available also on the network website And we are also very happy that the big sections of it actually have been reused recently in the UNESCO briefing notes That I think that were published in the draft format on the OER Africa website in July And I think that the finalization of that is going to be sometimes next year probably Then we also worked on several case studies this initiative was Well one thing that we need to showcase is the impact of of the movement They are and the best way to do that is really through case studies And so this the specific initiative was coordinated by OER Africa where different network members collaborated on on preparing different case studies to demonstrate the To demonstrate how OER can be used to improve excess improve learn outcomes or reduce cost Or facilitate professional development opportunities this collection of case studies are available on the OER Africa website So we really do encourage you to to peruse them And here are just some observations from participants in the network in terms of what they value About about being part of the network, you know Big part of it is really for everybody to have the opportunity to learn to share to collaborate from others Yeah, and the important part is also to not duplicate efforts But you can read up on these Reflections in your own time, but in the meantime, I think I'm gonna stop speaking and I would really like to give an opportunity To the other members sitting here to maybe express their views or make some comments or just kind of the audience to ask questions That was rather quick Well, I guess maybe one thing I would say is that it is important for you to realize that the network of open orgs is Is open for anyone to participate in and there's no cost There's it's free the major commitment really is around participating in the monthly meetings and Those monthly meetings serve as a mechanism for all of those that are participating to share news about what they're doing in the field of Open education what they're doing around supporting the UNESCO OER recommendation and then Often out of those meetings There's sort of small subgroups that form around a particular initiative or opportunity and those groups can then meet Separately from the big monthly meeting, but it is an open an open call and really the whole idea is Can we work and achieve a bigger impact together than we currently achieve? separately and the whole idea is the UNESCO OER recommendation in particular Created a big opportunity for open education But it's hard to help fulfill what the recommendation promises when we're all just a bunch of separate siloed little Organizations and so the idea is can we join forces and collectively work on something that has a bigger impact. Thanks Paul anybody else cable I Guess two two comments One just to be self-critical I think we've not yet accomplished what we had out to accomplish which was to help with the implementation of the rec So we've done a lot of good work, and we've created some resources And we're a bunch of orgs that don't usually work together this tightly And we are meeting monthly and sharing and helping each other and that's all really good progress But I think what we always dreamed and probably still dream in the group is You know and this is was one of the ideas around the matrix that we created is that we could go to a national government and say You are a signatory of the recommendation on we are We are a group of organized organizations with a set of a menu of services Against the specifics and the recommendation and we can we're actually ready today to help you implement And so would you like to work with us? And I think we're still headed toward that That's something that I think a lot of us want to do And we just haven't quite gotten there yet But I think that's still a that's still something we want to do And then the second comment I make is as I was talking this morning the keynote and I was saying hey We need to you know build a plan for the future I think as we as we do that and also as we just try to help governments implement the wreck on OER There's so much work to be done if you just look at the matrix just the recommendation itself Has five sections and you know seven sub sections in each of those five sections. It's tremendously Detailed and then we went in at that detailed level and said here's where our orgs have expertise Have capacity and could actually not for free like we'd want the governments to fund our work But we can support and help at these levels and so you know when you look at it at that very tactical level There is a ton of work that needs to be done And I would argue that the orgs that are currently part of the network of open orgs and there are many of us There probably aren't enough of us and as as you heard from both Paul and Igor There's an open invitation to join so I mean this is truly an all-hands-on-deck effort that's needed there are What is it a hundred and ninety three member states and then the US just rejoined UNESCO recently so a hundred and ninety four I think it is now And that's a lot right. It's a lot of governments to work with and we don't have the capacity to work with I'm all right now and so if you're interested in this kind of work You know first we'll stir we're still we're still figuring out. How do we do this? How do we work with UNESCO? So that you know, maybe eventually we can get UNESCO to help advertise these types of services How do we get organized Igor has done great work recently with the the website so that we can be clearer With the world about what we're ready to do in terms of providing support services So it's I would say it's the right idea not fulfilled yet, but we're pointed in the right direction Thank you and just to clarify. This was a collaborative effort as well about the website. Thank you cable. I can't take the credit But if I if while we are speaking while you are speaking TJ as well, I can I just ask our Support team to please click on the URL network of open org dot org So that we can showcase the website as well because actually today is a special day because we are actually just launching the website for the first time today Yeah So I'll I'll just add on this invitation from Paul and and re-emphasized by cable The you saw the list of organizations I think I'm a little bit of an oddball out because I actually am in the Ministry of Education for a governmental entity And potentially one of those that would want to be influenced by this Network But I think what that speaks to is how open it is We in Idaho are doing a lot of work around open and so we consider ourselves an open org And so I think there's a broad Definite someone correct me if I'm wrong in terms of this invitation But you might not see yourself in this because you might work for an institution or you might work for something that wouldn't consider itself an Open org like some of the others that are dedicated to openness in their missions But I think there's a space for this even if that's just thinking through I bring a perspective to this That's a little different because I work on the policy issues or on the on the tactical things are implementing that and I would say Idaho Leaders probably don't even know that this recommendation exists Upward and we're thinking about how do we how do we connect into that without saying the word UN because that's a dirty word in Idaho? Unfortunately, and so how do we connect to the work without without some of the political baggage that comes in our context? I think some of these things are things that the network needs to consider And so we haven't had those conversations yet and we'll probably have them next But I just wanted to expand that from why I'm sitting up here Thank you DJ Paula Yes, so maybe that's the value of having you in the network of open hours because you bring that perspective that none of us can bring in and It's interesting for example from my perspective to look into the work of the other organizations to find ways to better do my job and advocate in a more effective way at The national level in order to at least ignite the dialogue and start the conversation find someone who is willing to discuss at the governmental level about recommendation that they signed so somehow they committed to implement and They have people around willing to help so the network of open hours can also help me and the people with me To find better ways to be effective Okay. Yeah, so I think I just wanted to say Julianne Grandley from ICD the fact that the network of open orgs is actually very much a forum of organizations that share the same ideas or the Same values we are all working for one purpose while we're in those meetings and we're it's a Community that feels very safe and really Productive in the sense that this is a place to come to and discuss ongoing work But also to air out challenges or really have that conversation And I think that's been very meaningful to do in a space of organizations That might be different from the conversations you would have in different other forums Thank you very much Julianne. So anything from your side Well, maybe just to underscore the network word and how that means collaboration and That the network does not intend to have solution to everything But the opposite like having a space where we can try to find together solutions to the many problems that every One of us as organizations are facing So it's really just a space as Julianne saying like a safe space where we can really address The questions and issues that all the four organizations are facing. Thank you very much The perspectives and yes, I just to build on what cable was saying earlier that we certainly haven't accomplished the mission yet And in many ways, we are actually going to be relooking at that mission as well going forward Like what should be our purpose going forward as well? Yes working on these collaborative projects is very important But what kind of more like call to action can we have for example, you know That is aligned around helping for example in cases like Paul are you speaking about, you know, in With the implementation in Italy, for example or other areas And it's also important to to coordinate with other players in the in the field like Colin was just speaking about the upcoming unit We network, right? And so we always coordinate, right? So it's important to share information about these kinds of entities So that we do not duplicate efforts But on the contrary we actually Amplify our joint efforts, you know in many ways like what you were speaking to as well Earlier on cable during your keynote about that sort of implementation plan that was that was Prepared in relation to diamond open access for example. Yeah Any other comments or questions we can also open up questions from the audience? Yep, Antonio You can just go to the you can just go to the microphone, please so that the audience can hear also those who are watching Thank you. I think it's a fantastic initiative. I congratulate congratulate you all I'm you know, I think I can say that in our university with we would be interested in Contributing to your work. I have seen that there are a number of universities there. I'm sure this will be Very attractive and very interesting for other universities in the world But I have a question that it is probably a bit difficult, but you know, I think that's why we are here to Challenge ourselves with difficult questions that United Nations mandate, you know, it's for nation states But the majority of nation states on this planet do not have resources for the type of programs and interventions that are necessary To embed openness Then there are other states like the one I live in where our government or our state the British state Doesn't care about this and it's a question of who people vote and why The other states like Spain where I'm from there are almost federal states and the responsibilities for Universities and education reside within regional state governments You go and talk to the government of Spain and the government of Spain will say you need to talk to the other people and then In the middle of that there is a complexity of you know agents with decision-making power who perhaps The the network should be looking at engaging with when I had Cable talking about governments. I was thinking well Perhaps it may be few examples in the world with positive engagement of governments But I think it is a question of engaging with Whomever has the budget and whoever has the the power to actually Implement and propose solutions and in many cases is universities and is the leaders of these universities So how is your approach to engagement beyond engaging nation states or ministries of education? Thank you. Thank you, Antonio. I would like to react to that Okay, we'll take turns answering this I think it's a little bit of demand and push right it's a bit of a push-pull thing so I think ideally we would prefer to have To say hey here. We are and here's all the things we can do and if you need help come and talk to us But we also recognize that we we also need to put ourselves out there and kind of say and be proactive about finding those opportunities Yeah, and I was I mean resonated your comment resonated with me as a as a Representative the deputy minister of one of those states That probably exists in a lot of countries some countries are a lot more top-down, but I imagine most are not And so it's a lot very distributed and and getting to the right people or what action makes sense If I just think about the United States the US Department of Education has very little impact on Education it's seven percent of the funding for for higher education comes from the federal government the rest of it comes from the state and It's the same as true in K-12. It's just special education. It comes from the federal government So there's not a really fiduciary lever there either so that means you really are dealing with 50 Independent nations in a way on that side, so there may be work we can do to help Nations in that model know what what how to implement these recommendations in their distributed model which will look different from Small other nations that don't have that model and that's something I don't know that we've addressed yet But I'm very curious about it because I don't interact with the United States Department of Education Hardly at all on anything and if they told us to do something we probably wouldn't do it so It has to happen some other way So I'll be I'll be a bit provocative and I'll push back on one of your premises I think that So I try to do this in my talk this morning, too I think all governments of the world regardless of how many resources they have If you sat down with their Minister of Education, they would all say yes education is important And they would acknowledge that they signed the recommendation on OER and then if you got into a conversation with them They would say yes, education is a public good and if you have enough time with them and you walk through open education They would Agree if they're reasonable rational Actors that in fact open is probably better on many variables than closed And if all they care about is money Then you look at the money that they're already spending in existing budgets and you explain to them how if they did Some of that open versus closed it would actually save them Money if money is what they care about and so I I have found that it There's always an opportunity to work with any country But you're absolutely right and that you've got to get to the right people who have the right authority And sometimes that doesn't come immediately. So you so we talked about being at a university. You're at a university Sometimes in fact, we were doing this last week at the CC summit We don't have direct national government contacts for example in Bangladesh And so we met with the one of the senior administrators of the open University of Bangladesh Who does have those contacts and because what we want Bangladesh to do is to essentially join the open climate campaign and require that All their future research is open by default And so we had to find the right pathway But the goal was still the national government and so what we're doing is we're arming the our advocate in country Who happens to be the head of? finance for the open University of Bangladesh his name is mostafa and He will go make the arguments to the government and if and only if he needs us to come in We'll get on a plane and go but we'll follow his lead He may not need us what he may need is for us to help him write policy and to write drafts and to create arguments and to To lay out this lay out the sequence of the argument so that he can go make it in in his way in local language in the with the appropriate political decorum that it requires that he knows better than we do and so My pushback is that there's always a way it may be tricky to find the way to the national government But because every government in the world is engaged in their budgets with their Structures of national government in education. There's a pathway through that It's not always easy to find the pathway, but it's there if you look hard enough I think what Paul brings up is super interesting the push versus pull I think our hope is that if we do good job as the network of open orgs on the website and advertising the services They will get a lot of People that will come to us that's always easier right if a government comes to us and says hey We want to work with you. That's half the battle right there if we have to persuade a government that is reluctant That's much more difficult And so, you know we as with any adoption of new ideas or new technologies or whatever it might be It's always easier to work with willing partners than unwilling partners And I think that's the next challenge. I you know Igor is saying we're gonna have to talk about what's next for us My hope is that that's part of the conversation. How do we? We become known in a way that people start to come to us and ask for our service Thank you cable like with or knowledge equity network Antonio see the same approach. Yeah Okay, two hands gene of who was first Gino I la I love first. Okay, and then I see somebody at the back is a current. Okay We have got three minutes left, please try to be concise So I think the power of of The network of open orgs is that because many of you are already established and you already have You have chapters like significant chapters on the ground in different like all communities that all So it's almost as well about connecting those communities many like CC and Wikipedia communities and open education work together, but with that as in Arming them to then also approach their governments as well So it becomes kind of like, you know to utilize the what we already have in a way Yeah, that it doesn't just stay at headquarter kind of like HQ space It's more a comment than a question. Thank you. I love Then Gino and Karen and that's gonna be the I think that's last to okay cognizant of time and thank you I think exactly what I led just said because my question was this and I think use it as a statement maybe or a Provocation. Hey Ken. Yeah, so will the network try to create other organizations by common location? So regional yeah intention of opening or Industry even right and then or is it going to be for existing? organizations only even maybe now up front or later you will because for me some places need a catalyst and Maybe there's a champion there but then to put that person into connection with others because You are the organizations that know where things are happening So it might be a good opportunity to sort of metta network people And that's a that's a good suggestion there Do not think and I mean something to that we need to think about as As we are you know as we move forward with the activities of the network I mean the mission So this is something to consider but actually we try to expand and diversify membership in the network as well You know so like for example, we are looking for more organizations that are already active in different countries Like for example in African countries Latin American countries are many of those that are doing meaningful work That can be invited to join the network already. Yeah, we just need some help to to help identify the relevance ones. Yeah Karen thanks it seems to me that from what cable was saying and the rest of you that You know maybe a thing for the network to do is really set priorities about like which governments to target first Because I hear what you're saying cable like we don't want to target reluctant governments And maybe let's wait for them to come to us But are they're not governments that may already have a little bit more propensity like is it Canada like where is it? You know and to start with one model government That seems most likely and that maybe the network could try to identify that particular government That's already a little bit on board and court them in in a back and forth And if you get one government on board, that's gonna serve as a model. So that's just a suggestion Thank You Karen There are probably several examples of those around the world that have been already doing different activities But you know in terms of policy instruments over there these are other types of you know policies that have implemented Yeah, that we could run. Yeah, and I just want to say Karen That's a great idea and one of the things that has happened with the UNESCO OER Recommendation is there is an expectation that the countries that sign it report out on progress and so Just recently there was a report out on progress And so we're now kind of looking at the results of that report out and hope to identify Some of those perhaps first partners that we could engage Yeah, thank you Paul for that comment be ran out of time But I just want to ask our supporting to please put a slide back on Your earliest convenience. Thank you Just wanted to show that the final slide. Yeah, that's it. Thank you very much So again, I'm just sharing the URLs to the website Also, if you have any questions about the network if you'd like to join the network Please email us at info at network of open orbs dot org and thank you very much for your attention