Page 123 - MBRF ENGLISH PR REPORT - November 2024

During a session titled ‘Leveraging Open Solutions for a Resilient Digital Compact
Environment’, Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and
Information, UNESCO, emphasized the vast benefits of OER in navigating worldwide
education challenges. He underscored the importance of countries and organizations
working together and leveraging successful experiences to offer educational solutions.
Additionally, Dr. Jelassi highlighted the use of advanced digital tools to enhance the
education field.

His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of the MBRF, said: “The congress made
significant strides toward delivering open educational resources to underserved
communities. It marks a new achievement in the enduring collaboration between the
MBRF, the UN, and its associated bodies. Holding this event in Dubai represents the
culmination of our collaborative efforts in knowledge dissemination and development,
underscoring the UAE’s prominent role in supporting major development endeavors and
hosting global gatherings.”

The congress featured panel discussions facilitated by several senior government officials
and ministers from countries worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom,
Ireland, Slovenia, Tunisia, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay. High-profile
representatives from UNESCO, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (ICESCO), and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific
Organization (ALECSO) also attended the event. Moreover, Malaysia, Morocco, Cuba, and
Madagascar highlighted prominent experiences implementing open education solutions.

Participants engaged in vital discussions regarding important topics related to harnessing
open solutions for building flexible digital ecosystems. They underscored the significance
of leveraging cutting-edge technologies, such as AI and machine learning, to increase digital
accessibility. The discussions also highlighted the advancement of worldwide digital
cooperation and the resolution of intellectual property concerns in advanced technologies
and AI. Furthermore, they explored methods to improve equitable educational
opportunities and address the educational requirements of the African continent, small
island developing states, and youth with regard to obtaining quality and fair education.

The congress discussions involved a range of initiatives covering AI and OER. They
highlighted the UNESCO University Twinning Network on Open Education and the UNESCO
Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s Open Educational Resource Repository.
Moreover, strategies to expand access to open educational content were explored locally
and globally.

Furthermore, the congress examined the report on side sessions related to the
implementation of UNESCO’s 2019 recommendation on open educational resources. It
focused on the ‘Dubai Declaration on Open Educational Resources’, which emphasized the
advancement of quality and inclusive education, the building of new workforce capacities,
policies regarding open educational digital resources, ensuring quality and accessibility,
the sustainability of public digital resources, and fostering partnerships to enhance digital
collaboration.

https://thefinanceworld.com/unesco-oer-congress-2024/