Facilitating Global Development Dialogues Increasing Access to Learning in Developing Countries

Abstract

PCF5 Sub-theme: Cross-cutting Themes // In 2004, UTech was officially awarded an affiliate status of the World Bank’s Global Development Learning Network (GDLN), to be part of the global collaboration of multi-channel ICT network of distance learning centers with a mandate to facilitate dialogues on development issues. UTech is also the first centre in the English-speaking Caribbean to be recognized as a GDLN affiliate, and has continued to represent this language grouping within the GDLN. // The University has hosted several cross-border development dialogues by means of interactive videoconferencing on topics including HIV/AIDS, Disability Issues, Prevention and Control of Chronic Disease, Physicians and Elderly Care, Medical Research Ethics, Caribbean Growth and Competitiveness, Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Terrorism. These dialogues have been sponsored by international funding agencies such as the Netherlands Government, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), UNAIDS, UNESCO and the World Bank. Other agencies of endorsement. // There has been a wide diversity of stakeholders including policy-makers, government ministers, nongovernment organizations, private sector representatives, universities, community colleges, the general public and specific interest groups including infected persons. For most dialogues, participants were drawn from African or Latin American countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama; with Anglo-Caribbean counterparts from Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and the United States of America. The dialogues reflected non-formal and nontraditional approaches to education and facilitating increased access to learning for marginalized and minority groups. // Paper ID 522