4D - ICDE GAC Nordic Task Force

NordFlexOn is a Nordic network for Open, Flexible and Distance Learning (OFDL) established by ICDE in 2019. The network is open and free to join for all relevant individuals and associations in the Nordic countries, the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland, and the autonomous region of Åland. 

The development of the network was paused due to the pandemic. Now the occasion has come to revitalize NordFlexOn and utilize it to launch a Nordic Task force as part of the ICDE Global Advocacy Campaign for OFDL. Through this campaign, ICDE aims to be globally inclusive and honor the diversity of all regions to engage all members and partners and build a community of advocates to help shape the future of education across borders. To date, the Campaign continues to grow and evolve, with task forces in Asia, Oceania, Latin America, and Europe. ICDE members can actively participate in task force activities and influence the discussions and direction of regional campaigns.

The ICDE GAC Nordic Task Force officially launched in August, 2022 had as a starting point the views  from the NordFlexOn Steering Committee - members representing each Nordic country, and other participants from the field.

Key topics raised as relevant for the Nordic region and linked to the topic of lifelong learning:

• Ecology of learning - education and learning as an ecosystem
• The importance of open, flexible, and distance learning for lifelong learning
• Technical and new skill requirements in the new labour market
• Accessibility and inclusion in education through flexible education
• Learning cycles (lifelong/lifewide).
• Integration of sustainable development goals into institutional strategies

The first phase of the Nordic GAC includes participation in a series of planned events in the Nordic countries.

The presentation at the Lillehammer lifelong learning ICDE conference aims to:

• Introduce the ICDE Nordic GAC - explain the NordFlexOn network’s role in this work
• Explain some the key topics identified in the Nordic countries within OFDL and lifelong learning
• Outline advocacy activities and materials tailored to the Nordic region
• Invite participants to get involved in the further development of activities events, and to expand the Nordic network.