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The Commonwealth Secretariat launched a knowledge-sharing network at the 19th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (19CCEM) to help facilitate dialogue on education across member countries. The website went live on 26 June with a wealth of resources, best practice examples and country reports available to educationalists.
Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma described the Hub as a “virtual one-stop-shop knowledge service for education professionals and planners”. Deputy Secretary-General Deodat Maharaj added: “The Hub is not only a way to promote knowledge-sharing among policy makers and practitioners, but also acts as a ‘network of networks’ that can create an enabling context for solutions and best practices to be adopted for scale across the Commonwealth.”
The Hub has two main features that will offer members access to an array of services. The main facility is a Community of Practice, an email-based mail group that allows members to request or share good practice, seek expertise or initiate discussions on current issues and debates. The Community of Practice is moderated and supported by two facilitators, both with teaching experience.
The second element is the website, which serves as the virtual home and online presence for the Community of Practice and contains information, documented knowledge and other curated resources relevant to education professionals across the Commonwealth. The Hub focuses on issues of critical significance to the education community, including the relevance of education for delivering the Sustainable Development Goals. Future sections may include information on system strengthening and policy responses on quality and equity in education, and financing for education and global qualification standards, covering all aspects of education from early childhood to lifelong learning.
The Community of Practice will also serve as a space to keep participants of the triennial Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) connected between meetings and help continue conversations. Consequently, issues discussed by the Community are likely to reflect past and upcoming CCEM themes.
Membership is free and open to all education professionals and planners from the Commonwealth including:
- Government policy makers at central, regional and local levels
- Researchers and academics
- Officials of foundations, and bilateral and multilateral donor funding agencies
- Professionals working in non-governmental organisations and advocacy groups
- Private sector professionals participating in or supporting the education field
- Groups representing education administrators and teachers
The Hub remains a pilot initiative, whose facilitators will look to improve it as it progresses. The pilot nature of the project will allow it to test new knowledge-sharing approaches and to leverage more efficient and affordable ICT systems. Any feedback and suggestions are welcomed as the Hub continues to evolve.
To find out more about the Commonwealth Education Hub, email the facilitators at edu-hub@groups.thecommonwealth.info or visit the website at www.thecommonwealtheducationhub.net
