Overcoming Inequality in an Unequal World: Developing Sustainable Partnerships in Open and Distance Learning

Abstract

In this presentation, I shall first examine what we mean by partnerships, and then review some models of partnership within open universities that have evolved over the last forty years. I shall then take up three examples of multi-stakeholder partnerships from the work of the Commonwealth of Learning. Finally, from the lessons learned, I shall propose the ways forward towards developing sustainable partnerships that will have implications for all of us, whether we work in academia or in development.