we'd love to linkin to icde -anyone?

[chris macrae]

INTERNATIONAL
COUNCIL FOR OPEN AND
DISTANCE EDUCATION
1 ICDE Annual Report 2012
ICDE profile
The International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) was founded in 1938 in Canada and is
today the leading global membership organization for open and distance education.
ICDE is funded by the Government of Norway, membership subscriptions, and income from conferences and
is supported by in kind contributions, notably from the universities and organizations represented within the
Executive Committee. ICDE is a registered not-for-profit organization in Norway and operates under
Norwegian law.
ICDE seeks to promote open, distance, flexible and online education, including e-learning and aid
intercultural cooperation and understanding throughout the world. ICDE works to foster international
collaboration, support and develop networks at national, regional, global and linguistic affinity groups levels
and provide forums where individuals, corporations, institutions, governments and associations can engage
in professional interaction. Further, ICDE contributes to the development of new methodologies and
technologies to improve lifelong learning and works to encourage the development of good practice and
standards in flexible learning.
ICDE has consultative partner status with UNESCO, and shares that agency’s key aim – the attainment of
quality education for all. In addition ICDE is guided by the following values:
 ICDE is member focused and involves members in decision making, in cooperative action and in
cooperative problem solving.
 ICDE is transparent and members are able to follow the activities and decisions of the organization.
 ICDE believes that the needs of the learner must be central in the pursuit of education as a universal
right.
According to its constitution, the organization is governed by the following bodies:
 The Executive Committee is responsible for making policy decisions in accordance with ICDE’s
mission and constitution. Its responsibilities shall include those specifically noted in the constitution
and all other matters not specifically allocated to another business body or the Secretary General.
The Executive Committee is composed of six elected members.
 The Board of Trustees advises the Executive Committee, and monitors the conduct of the Secretary
General, the President and members of the Executive Committee and is composed of five members
 The Election Committee verifies the qualifications of potential candidates for the Executive
Committee and is composed of three members.
ICDE’s senior officers are the President and the Secretary General. The Secretary General being head of
the Secretariat is responsible for the sound operation of ICDE in accordance with the particular legislative
framework in which it operates. ICDE’s legal representation and liability is with the Secretary General, who
shall also be responsible for conducting the day-to-day management and business and all legal and financial
matters of ICDE in accordance with the policies defined for ICDE by the Executive Committee and the
mission and aims stated in the ICDE Constitution. The Secretary General represents ICDE in matters
regarding its day-to-day activities and shall be responsible for the management of the Secretariat.
In 2012, the staff of the Secretariat comprised four persons; the Secretary General, Head of Administration,
Head of Information and Membership Services, and Information and Promotion Coordinator (part-time
position). The Secretariat has contracts with third-party providers for services including accountancy and IT
provision and has a cooperation agreement with the Norwegian Association for Distance Education for
sharing office space and some administrative services.
In 2012, ICDE had 136 paying members comprising 104 institutions, agencies and authorities, and 32
individual members, in addition to honorary individual members and associate members. 35% of ICDE’s
paying membership is in Asia, 25% in Europe, 13% in North America, 11% in Latin America and the
Caribbean, and 8% in both Africa and Australasia.
ICDE Annual Report 2012 2
Contents
ICDE profile ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1. Introduction by the President of ICDE .................................................................................................... 4
1.2. Introduction by ICDE’s Secretary General ............................................................................................. 4
2. Executive summary ...................................................................................................................................... 6
3. The ICDE Strategic Plan ............................................................................................................................... 7
3.1. Strategic Plan 2009-2012 ....................................................................................................................... 7
3.2. Development of the new Strategic Plan 2013-2016 ............................................................................... 7
4. ICDE and Norway ......................................................................................................................................... 7
4.1. Activities providing added value for Norwegian institutions ................................................................... 8
4.2. Relations with Norwegian distance education actors ............................................................................. 8
4.3. Relations with Nordic University Cooperation and Nordic actors ........................................................... 8
5. Relations with UNESCO ............................................................................................................................... 8
5.1. On-going areas of cooperation between UNESCO and ICDE ............................................................... 8
5.2. UNESCO World OER Congress ............................................................................................................. 9
5.3. UNESCO participation at the 2012 ICDE Standing Conference of Presidents ...................................... 9
5.4. ICDE’s General Delegate at UNESCO ................................................................................................... 9
6. Events and related initiatives ......................................................................................................................... 9
6.1. Events held in 2012 ............................................................................................................................... 9
6.1.1. The 2012 ICDE Standing Conference of Presidents and Policy Forum ........................................ 10
6.1.2. Session at European Distance and E- Learning Network Annual Conference ............................. 10
6.1.3. Online debate ............................................................................................................................... 10
6.2. Planning for future events ..................................................................................................................... 11
6.2.1. 25th ICDE World Conference on Open Learning and Distance Learning ...................................... 11
6.2.2. The 2013 ICDE Standing Conference of Presidents ..................................................................... 11
6.2.3. International Conference ............................................................................................................... 11
7. Projects and partnerships ............................................................................................................................ 11
7.1. Regulatory frameworks for distance education .................................................................................... 11
7.2. Global Outlook on Open, Distance and Online Education ................................................................... 12
7.3. The Open Educational Quality Initiative ............................................................................................... 12
7.4. Quality standards ................................................................................................................................. 12
7.5. Quality reviews .................................................................................................................................... 12
7.6. Teaching Online – an OER for teacher training in quality open and distance learning (ODL) ............. 12
7.7. International awareness campaign for open, distance and online learning ......................................... 13
7.8. ICDE Chairs in Open Educational Resources and Open Educational Practices ................................. 13
7.9. Applications for externally funded projects under preparation ............................................................. 13
8. Membership services .................................................................................................................................. 13
8.1. Communication with members ............................................................................................................. 13
8.2. Benefits for ICDE members .................................................................................................................. 13
3 ICDE Annual Report 2012
8.3. Recruitment of new members ............................................................................................................... 13
8.4. Regional and key national associations ............................................................................................... 14
8.5. Membership fees ................................................................................................................................. 14
9. Information .................................................................................................................................................. 14
9.1. Printed materials .................................................................................................................................. 15
9.2. Electronic media .................................................................................................................................. 15
9.3. Open Praxis, the peer-reviewed open access journal of ICDE ............................................................ 15
10. Representation at conferences and meetings ........................................................................................... 15
11. Governance .............................................................................................................................................. 16
11.1. The Executive Committee .................................................................................................................. 16
11.2. The Board of Trustees ........................................................................................................................ 17
11.3. The Election Committee ..................................................................................................................... 17
11.4. Changes to the ICDE Constitution ...................................................................................................... 18
12. Financial summary .................................................................................................................................... 18
13. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................ 18
ICDE Annual Report 2012 4
1. Introduction
1.1. Introduction by the President of ICDE
This past year has been an interesting and challenging, but at the same time, also a rewarding year for me
as President of ICDE. Since taking office in February 2012, I have been in intensive communication with the
Secretariat in Oslo, Norway, and have seen how the commitment of and great synergy between the new
Executive Committee members, the Secretariat and member organizations have enabled ICDE to strengthen
its role as the leading global membership organization for open and distance education. And for this, I would
like to convey my great appreciation for the tremendous effort by all parties to make 2012 a fruitful year.
Looking back, in 2012 ICDE has managed to accomplish many objectives through existing networks,
enhanced partnerships with key organizations endorsing open and distance learning (ODL), and good
cooperation with member organizations. Through ICDE Standing Conference of Presidents meeting and
Policy Forum, discussions of ODL policies have taken place, and joint activities with global as well as major
regional players have enabled the promotion of quality in distance, flexible and ICT-based education. The
ICDE International Conferences have provided necessary foums for the fostering of cooperation between
members and widening opportunities for future collaboration. Greater cooperation with UNESCO during the
World Open Educational Resources Congress has given significant exposure to ICDE’s work, and
commitment to promote global understanding and implementation of open educational resources.
Internally, significant work was also undertaken by the Secretariat to increase membership services and
participation which has resulted in an increased number of new memberships. More intensive
communication among the ICDE business bodies and with member organizations using various means and
through different forums have indeed sparked greater enthusiasm and interests in members to participate in
ICDE activities and new initiatives.
The projects, programmes, and activities undertaken by ICDE in 2012 are presented in this Annual Report
prepared by the ICDE Secretariat and hopefully demonstrate how much has been achieved over the past
year. We have a lot to be proud of and we will continue to follow up and build on the programmes and
activities as a solid foundation upon which to raise further achievements in the upcoming year.
Tian Belawati
President of ICDE
1.2. Introduction by ICDE’s Secretary General
2012 was the year when open education really made an entry on the global political agenda. The UNESCO
World Open Educational Resources Congress issued the 2012 Paris OER Declaration calling upon
governments worldwide to openly license publicly funded educational materials for public use.1 In many
regions OER, open, distance and online education became hot issues and, for example, in Europe a
ministerial conference was held dedicated to these themes. In the United States, 2012 was labelled the year
of massive open online courses (MOOCs), and disruption has been on everybody’s lips – also in ICDE.
ICDE – approaching 75 years – and 25 years in Norway
In 1988, shortly after the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development published the
Brundtland Report, “Our Common Future” establishing the broad political concept of sustainable
development – Gro Harlem Brundtland – the chair of the Commission and the Prime Minster of Norway,
offered for Norway to become the host country and a permanent supporter of ICDE. She declared: “We hope
that the Secretariat will be able to make an important contribution to the development of international
cooperation in this vital and expanding area.” The Minister of Education, Mary Kvidal, added that the
Norwegian Government’s offer would “be one of the contributions of this country to international
development and collaboration in the increasingly important field of distance education.”
The next 25 years – what purpose for ICDE?
Now, almost 25 years later, one can question whether ICDE has delivered what the Norwegian Government
expected? Well, I leave it up to others to have the final say on this, but one can observe that ICDE during
this period has been an active, global network which has supported its members throughout the world in
delivering quality higher education to tens of millions of young people and adults through open and distance
education, thereby contributing to a sustainable world. Many of the people who have benefitted from this
1 http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/access-t...
what-is-the-paris-oer-declaration/
5 ICDE Annual Report 2012
opportunity, have belonged to groups that otherwise would not have gained access to higher education. The
impact that ICDE member institutions have made on the world has been significant for the global knowledge
society and for contributing to social justice and innovation. ICDE has also in this period provided a two-way
channel for Norwegian actors and higher education institutions for knowledge exchange with the world and
to adapt to international achievements in the field.
Has ICDE fulfilled its mission?
In September 2012, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the global Education First
initiative with this appeal: “I call on world leaders and all involved with education to join this initiative and fulfill
the promise to make quality education available to all children, young people and adults. Together, we can
empower individuals to transform our world.”2
In a further key UN initiative, the UNESCO led Education for All (EFA), Olav Seim, Director of the EFA
Global Partnerships Team, said in an interview that even though there was considerable progress between
2000 and 2008, “since 2010 the number of out-of-school children has stayed the same, at 61 million, and aid
to education has stagnated.”3 And the World Bank has found that more than 620 million young people are
neither working nor studying.4
The OECD has shown through comprehensive studies that higher education is a goldmine for the individual
and the society,5 and the slogan “education, education, education” is on many ministers’ lips as an answer to
global challenges. As we know from UNESCO estimates, more than 100 million new places are needed in
higher education before 2025.6
Through the Global Consultation of Education NGOs during the Sixth Meeting of UNESCO’s Collective
Consultation of NGOs on EFA – CCNGO/EFA4 (Paris, France, 24-26 October 2012), ICDE was able
successfully to influence the final declaration, in relation to the final push up to 2015 with the addition that
“Open Educational Resources and quality open, distance online and e-learning offer an important
opportunity to be used to deliver on the EFA goals.”7
25 years after the Norwegian Government initiated its generous support for ICDE, and 75 years after the
ICDE first came into being, we can conclude that the need for ICDE is stronger than ever. And I would like to
add that in particular when disruptive initiatives such as MOOCs are capturing the educational and political
agenda, the need for direction, purpose and quality in higher education increases. This is a task for ICDE.
In conclusion I would like to give special thanks to the members of ICDE’s business bodies - the Executive
Committee, the Board of Trustees and the Election Committee - for their valuable contributions in building a
new future for ICDE.
Gard Titlestad
Secretary General, ICDE
2 http://www.globaleducationfirst.org
3 http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/leading-the-internati...
news/education_for_all_unfinished_business_interview_with_olav_seim/
4 http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2012/10/01/jobs-corn...
report
5 http://www.oecd.org/edu/eag2012.htm
6 http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0019/001924/192417m.pdf
7http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/ED/ED_new/pdf/FINAL_CCNGO_outcome_docume
nt.pdf
ICDE Annual Report 2012 6
2. Executive summary
This Annual Report describes the activities carried out by the International Council for Open and Distance
Education (ICDE) during 2012. It demonstrates progress towards the objectives of the organization in
relation to its Strategic Plan and Activity Plan (www.icde.org/strategy2009-2011).
ICDE entered into partnership with key actors in higher education in its host country, Norway, to organize a
leadership seminar and other activities to provide added value for institutions in line with the criteria
stipulated by its key funder, the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research.
Cooperation with UNESCO has increased, through projects and initiatives, most notably ICDE’s involvement
in the UNESCO World Open Educational Resources Congress.
The 2012 ICDE Standing Conference of Presidents and Policy Forum was hosted by member institution,
Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and ICDE reached out to members
and the wider distance education community through a session at the European Distance and E-Learning
Network Annual Conference, and through an online debate on the UNESCO/ World Bank Group sponsored
Educational Technology Development portal.
Preparations begin in 2012 for the organization of the 25th ICDE World Conference, to be hosted by Tianjin
Open University in China, and for the 2013 ICDE Standing Conference of Presidents to be hosted by the
Open University of Portugal, in partnership with the European Distance and E-Learning Network.
2012 saw the further development and consolidation of partnerships with key organizations including the
Sloan Consortium, OpenCourseware Consortium, International Association of Universities and African Virtual
University to carry out joint activities with regional or global reach. New projects including a global survey on
open, distance and online education and the development of an open educational resource for teacher
training in quality open and distance learning are under development. Existing initiatives have meanwhile
received new impetus and direction through partnerships, targeted follow-up actions and research. ICDE’s
online journal, Open Praxis, was re-launched in 2012, hosted by member institution, Universidad Nacional
de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Spain.
Communication with ICDE’s membership and key stakeholders has given greater emphasis to electronic
communication, forums, and streamlined administrative procedures. 2012 was a strong year for the
recruitment of new members reflecting successful outreach activity.
A new ICDE Executive Committee began its term of office on 1 January 2012 and this Executive Committee,
through consultations and discussion groups with members of ICDE, has developed a new Strategic Plan for
the period 2013-2016
Note: The Annual Report is written in English, ICDE’s language of operation.
7 ICDE Annual Report 2012
3. The ICDE Strategic Plan
While this Annual Report follows the objectives of the Strategic Plan 2009-2012, 2012 saw the development
of a new Strategic Plan for the period 2013-2016.
3.1. Strategic Plan 2009-2012
The Strategic Plan published in 2009 provides the foundation for
ICDE’s work. Key objectives are as follows:
 ICDE shall be the global arena for the discussion of
distance education policies.
 ICDE shall promote quality in distance, flexible and ICTbased
education, and work for the achievement of a global
understanding of quality within distance education.
 ICDE will contribute to the development of new
methodologies and technologies, through the dissemination
of information, supporting efforts to find solutions for
countries with developing economies, and through working
to increase awareness of the digital divide and steps taken
to minimize the divide.
 ICDE will foster cooperation between members, leading to
significant increases in cooperation between national and
regional organizations, and greater opportunities for collaboration between institutions in the
northern and southern hemispheres.
The ICDE Secretariat’s Activity Plan is published in combination with the Strategic Plan where activities
designed to meet the strategic objectives are described. During 2012, a publication entitled ICDE
Achievements 2009-2011 was published summarizing achievements to date. Work towards meeting the
objectives during 2012 is described throughout this report and is summarized in the conclusion.
The Strategic Plan may be downloaded from: www.icde.org/strategy2009-2012
3.2. Development of the new Strategic Plan 2013-2016
The new Strategic Plan was developed with the involvement of the ICDE membership during 2012, including
a significant contribution from member institution, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Spain. Open online
consultations with members in the form of focus groups were held in September and October and key
external stakeholders were subsequently consulted. In November, at the Standing Conference of Presidents
(SCOP) meeting in Dubai, leaders of ICDE member organizations discussed the draft strategy and
recommended priorities in plenary session and in groups. The ICDE Executive Committee developed the
final Strategic Plan taking into consideration input from the entire process. While the new Strategic Plan
builds on the strategic objectives of the previous one, one new strategic objective was added:
 To strengthen ICDE membership and governance, and engage members in collaborative activity and
organizational development.
The Strategic Plan for 2013-206 is published at: www.icde.org/strategy
4. ICDE and Norway
ICDE established its Secretariat in Oslo in 1989 on the basis of generous funding from the Government of
Norway. Today, ICDE receives an annual grant for the promotion of international activity in the area of
distance education and flexible learning. The terms of the grant are that ICDE shall work to foster relations
with Norwegian educational institutions and authorities in order to provide access to ICDE’s expertise and
network in international distance education. Representatives of the ICDE Executive Committee and the
Secretary General hold annual meetings with the Ministry of Education to coordinate approaches, while the
Secretary General ensures regular contact.
ICDE is proud to count five institutions, one agency, two individual members and one associate member
from Norway among its membership.
ICDE Annual Report 2012 8
4.1. Activities providing added value for Norwegian institutions
ICDE formed a partnership with the Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions and ICDE
member Norway Opening Universities to arrange a seminar for rectors and senior management of
Norwegian institutions of higher education on the theme of High quality higher education in an increasingly
more open and online world. The event sought to bring together perspectives on open, distance and online
learning from around the world with those from Norway, with emphasis on leadership, strategies and
organization at the intersection of campus-based and distance education.
The seminar was opened by Kyrre Lekve, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Research and
featured contributions from leading international and Norwegian universities including ICDE Executive
Committee members.
The event was successful in raising awareness of open and distance education and open educational
resources on the strategic level among higher education institutions in Norway. Most higher education
institutions in Norway were represented at the event.
Also in cooperation with Norway Opening Universities, rectors of Norwegian institutions received
personalized Norwegian language invitations to attend the ICDE Standing Conference of Presidents.
4.2. Relations with Norwegian distance education actors
ICDE has a highly beneficial relationship with actors within the distance education community. Through
sharing office premises, ICDE and the Norwegian Association for Distance Education (NADE) are fortunate
to be able to benefit from continuous dialogue and information exchange about the Norwegian distance
education arena and how the Norwegian context interacts with the international context of ICDE. NADE is an
associate member of ICDE.
ICDE is fortunate to have Norway Opening Universities (NOU) as an active member of the organization.
Norway Opening Universities is an enthusiastic supporter of the organization’s work and the Secretary
General of ICDE has regular contact meetings with the Executive Director of NOU. In December he took part
in an NOU Board Meeting where he delivered a report entitled Open Educational Resources (OER), MOOCs
and Open Education – what is happening? This is foreseen as the first step in preparing a Norwegian and/ or
Nordic Initiative for knowledge exchange on OER and open and distance education.
ICDE, NOU and the Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions have also initiated regular
tripartite dialogue with a view to carrying out future joint activity.
4.3. Relations with Nordic University Cooperation and Nordic actors
ICDE established cooperation with Nordic University Cooperation through the Norwegian Association of
Higher Education Institutions. ICDE has been represented in a Nordic network promoting OER, the Nordic
Alliance for Open Education.
5. Relations with UNESCO
ICDE has consultative partner status with UNESCO, and works together with UNESCO in the service of
international cooperation and development. This status grants ICDE’s members a voice at UNESCO, while
obliging ICDE to acquaint its members with UNESCO programmes, activities and achievements pertaining to
open and distance education.
The Secretary General held a series of contact meetings with staff at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris,
France, during 2012 including the Assistant Director-General Education Sector and the Assistant Director-
General Communication and Information Sector.
ICDE has also been represented in the UNESCO Education for All, EFA, consultations, and was
instrumental in establishing OER and distance education as a key measures in follow up on the post EFA
agenda (after 2015).
New guidelines for UNESCO relations have been agreed by ICDE’s Executive Committee and implemented,
and relations and partnership development are good.
5.1. On-going areas of cooperation between UNESCO and ICDE
ICDE and UNESCO cooperate on a number of areas, in particular:
 Discussions on the organization of a high level policy forum on open, distance and online learning
 The inclusion of a survey of the use of innovative technologies in the BRICS countries as a part of
the Global Outlook on Open, Distance and Online Learning (see 7.2)
9 ICDE Annual Report 2012
 Issue relating to the greater acceptance of open educational resources, and follow up actions on the
Paris OER Declaration (see 5.2, below)
 Teacher education and open, distance and online learning in Africa (see 7.6)
5.2. UNESCO World OER Congress
ICDE was invited by UNESCO to provide good practices, identify key stakeholders, and to raise awareness
and promote the First UNESCO World Open Educational Resources Congress in Paris, France 20-22 June
2012, as well as the series of regional policy forums due to precede it .
The Congress gathered governmental actors, and included a programme of seminars and panel discussions
and exhibition of OER initiatives. The focus was to invite governments to view and discuss the merits of open
educational resources and to adopt a declaration that calls on governments to support the sustainable
development and dynamic use of OER.
ICDE had a role in the parallel Open Seminar and Exhibition. ICDE held first a good and wide-reaching
dialogue with regional actors within open and distance learning on OER and on the content of the declaration
to be adopted at the World OER Congress. These associations gave input to the organization of the
Congress, to the declaration itself, and discussions lead to the formation of a panel which will examine the
opportunities from OER and open and distance education. Participants in the ICDE panel were Tian
Belawati, Universitas Terbuka, Indonesia, and President of ICDE; Gard Titlestad, Secretary General, ICDE;
Tony Mays, National Association for Distance Education and Open Learning, South Africa; Mona El Ayoubi,
Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University, United Arab Emirates; Anthony Camilleri, European Foundation for
Quality in E-learning; and Jim Barber, University of New England, Australia.
ICDE also took part in the political part of the Congress and achieved a prominent role for the organization,
recognition from relevant stakeholders and wide dissemination of the outcomes of the World Congress.
5.3. UNESCO participation at the 2012 ICDE Standing Conference of Presidents
David Atchoarena, Director of the Division for Teacher Development and Higher Education and Zeynep
Varoglu, Programme Specialist, Communication and Information Sector participated in this ICDE meeting,
and also met for informal talks with the ICDE Executive Committee.
5.4. ICDE’s General Delegate at UNESCO
ICDE’s General Delegate at UNESCO, Bernard Loing, stepped down from his position as President of the
NGO Conference and President of the NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee at the International Conference of
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), which took place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France in
December. ICDE’s Secretary General attended and expressed ICDE’s gratitude for his work. UNESCO –
ICDE relations are now handled directly between UNESCO headquarters in Paris and the ICDE Secretariat
in Oslo.
6. Events and related initiatives
ICDE’s fourth key objective is to foster cooperation between members. Conferences bearing the ICDE brand
are important elements to this strategy (Strategic Plan 2009-2012, page 3 and page 6).
Since 1939, ICDE has organized conferences to support the exchange of ideas between practitioners of
open and distance education. These arenas have proven valuable for the development of institutions and for
on-going analysis of open and distance education policies worldwide. Three types of meetings have
developed: World Conferences organized biennially, International Conferences with a regional focus and the
Standing Conference of Presidents (SCOP) and Policy Forum organized every year for Presidents and other
Executive Officers of member institutions. Each of these events is run in cooperation with a member
institution.
Formal calls for the hosting of meetings are announced through the ICDE newsletter and website, and an
institution must present a written proposal for consideration by the ICDE Executive Committee.
6.1. Events held in 2012
The seminar organized for rectors and senior management of Norwegian higher education institutions by
ICDE and the Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions in partnership with Norway Opening
Universities was a significant achievement for the organization in 2012 (see 4.1.). The 2012 ICDE Standing
Conference of Presidents and Policy Forum were held in the United Arab Emirates, and ICDE reached out to
members and the wider distance education community through a session at the European Distance and EICDE
Annual Report 2012 10
Learning Network Annual Conference, and through an online debate on the UNESCO/ World Bank Group
sponsored Educational Technology Development portal.
6.1.1. The 2012 ICDE Standing Conference of Presidents and Policy Forum
The 2012 ICDE Standing Conference of Presidents (SCOP) meeting and Policy Forum were held in
November 2012 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, hosted by Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University. Around 85
institutional leaders and other executives from 45 countries participated in the meeting. The theme was
ODE: Barriers, Opportunities & Strategies Forward, and the focus was on challenges and strategies for the
implementation of open, distance and flexible learning. H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, inaugurated SCOP 2012. Keynote presentations were
given by Badr Aboul-Ela, Director of the Commission for Academic Accreditation, Ministry of Higher
Education and Scientific Research, U.A.E. and Vice-President of the Arab Network for Quality Assurance
Agencies in Higher Education,; David Atchoarena, Director for Higher Education, UNESCO and Sanjaya
Mishra, Director of the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia.
The Policy Forum held within the programme of the meeting discussed the development of the ICDE
Strategic Plan for the period 2013-2016.
www.scop2012dubai.com
6.1.2. Session at European Distance and E- Learning Network Annual Conference
The Secretary General presented in the session entitled Distance and e-learning policy and strategy on
Thursday morning with an address entitled Challenges for policies, strategies and leadership in an
increasingly open world. An evening event for ICDE members was organized for representatives of member
institutions and associations, as well as individual members. A presentation of ICDE’s on-going activities was
held and input sought on where ICDE's priorities should lie, and which activities the organization should
concentrate on in partnership with its members. This activity represented the first stage in a series of
consultations with members during the development of ICDE’s strategy for the period 2013-2016.
6.1.3. Online debate
ICDE convened an online debate on open and distance learning on the UNESCO/ World Bank Group
infoDev sponsored Educational Technology Debate portal. The debate featured contributions from ICDE
members representing the BRIC nations of Brazil, Russia, India and China on trends and challenges in open
and distance learning in their countries. The debate was the fourth most read debate of 2012, and significant
contributions came from the wider ODL community to this forum with over 2,000 subscribers. The inspiration
for the debate came from a session organized by ICDE at the annual Online Educa Berlin conference in
Germany in December 2011. It is a key priority for ICDE to increase communication between developed and
developing nations (Strategic Plan 2009-2012, page 3).
https://edutechdebate.org/open-and-distance-learning
11 ICDE Annual Report 2012
6.2. Planning for future events
During 2012, ICDE began planning for events to be held in 2013 and 2014.
6.2.1. 25th ICDE World Conference on Open Learning and Distance Learning
The 25th ICDE World Conference on Open and Distance Learning will be hosted by Tianjin Open University,
China, on 16-18 October 2013. Tianjin is a coastal city approximately 120km from Beijing and was selected
following a bidding process. The Secretary General made a visit to China in 2012 to undertake planning
meetings with Tianjin Open University. A Core Programme Committee, and International Programme
Committee, have been established, speakers invited, and the website and initial promotion launched.
www.tjrtvu.edu.cn/icde
6.2.2. The 2013 ICDE Standing Conference of Presidents
The Open University of Portugal in partnership with the European Distance and E- Learning Network was
selected as host after an open bidding process, and. the contract was due to be signed in early 2013. The
theme is to be Leadership in the Time of Openness: Sustainable Visions, Innovative Strategies and Creative
Business Models.
6.2.3. International Conference
An ICDE International Conference to be hosted by Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED)
was under planning in 2012, to be held in March 2013. The purpose of the conference is to bring together
higher education institutions, distance education institutions, and traditional face-to-face education
institutions that apply methodologies based on open and distance education technologies, and to create a
space where academics, teachers, researchers, politicians and social and economic actors can collaborate
and discuss how to generate and transfer knowledge for building inclusive, successful and intelligent
societies. The theme for the Conference is Mobilizing Distance Education for Social Justice and Innovation.
www.unedicde2013.org
7. Projects and partnerships
Cooperation and partnership represent a core working method and strategy for ICDE (Strategic Plan 2009-
2012, page 2). Development of partnerships with the following organizations was carried out during 2012:
UNESCO; the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO); the European Union (EU);
Commonwealth of Learning (CoL); The Sloan Consortium (SLOAN-C); The OpenCourseWare Consortium
(OCWC); International Association of Universities (IAU); African Virtual University (AVU) and regional
associations. A Memorandum of Understanding was agreed with OCWC, and an agreement is under
preparation with AVU. Dialogue continued on closer cooperation on projects with the Southeast Asian
Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) and ICDE member institution Universitas Terbuka,
Indonesia, represented ICDE at the SEAMEO Centre Directors Meeting during 2012.
Several projects are underway.
7.1. Regulatory frameworks for distance education
As a key activity under the objective to become the global arena for the discussion of distance education
policies, ICDE launched a project with partial funding from ICDE to study regulatory systems within distance
education throughout the world (Strategic Plan 2009-2012, page 4).
The successful project consortium of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher
Education, the Australasian Council on Open, Distance and E-Learning, the Distance Education Hub
(DEHub), and the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) looked at the regulatory environment for
distance education in 24 countries in the Southwest Pacific/ South East Asia Region. The consortium
delivered their final report in early 2012 and an online resource presenting key data on the countries and
case studies of nine institutions in the region was also completed.
Lessons were learned about the limitations to methodology, and the conclusion reached was that policy
frameworks are not the most significant issue in constraining the development of distance education. Work in
disseminating the findings was carried out, including a presentation at the 2012 ICDE Standing Conference
of Presidents. An ICDE Policy Brief is under preparation by representatives of ICDE member institutions in
Australia, Portugal and South Africa, and is expected to be published early in 2013.
www.icde.org/regulatory_frameworks
ICDE Annual Report 2012 12
7.2. Global Outlook on Open, Distance and Online Education
The purpose of this project is – through a survey and report - to provide greater global visibility and to
promote the importance of open, distance, flexible and online learning, including e-learning and to provide
background for policy development on the field. It thus seeks to fulfil similar aims to those stated in the
Strategic Plan in relation to distance education statistics and development of an understanding of the values
and possibilities of distance education (Strategic Plan 2009-2012, page 4).
A partnership has been established between ICDE, UNESCO, the Sloan Consortium and the Babson Survey
Research Group (BSRG). Other close partners are the International Association of Universities and
StudyPortals. The draft project description has been approved by the Executive Committee.
7.3. The Open Educational Quality Initiative
ICDE’s second strategic objective to contribute to the development of new methodologies and technologies
challenges ICDE to develop a strategy for enhancing open educational resources – freely available teaching
and learning materials – in an international setting (Strategic Plan 2009-2012, page 5).
As the first element of this, and indeed to meet ICDE’s strategic objective to promote quality (Strategic Plan
2009-2012, page 3), ICDE was from 2010-2011 a project partner in the Open Educational Quality (OPAL)
Initiative. During 2012 final reports were completed and accepted by the European Commission. ICDE’s
involvement led to visibility, improved the basis for future activity with UNESCO, created a basis for future
European projects, engaged members, and provided members with useful results and tools.
ICDE took part in an application to the European Commission for funding for a follow-up project, EUOER,
though this was unsuccessful. It is expected, however, that ICDE will enter into partnerships in order to
deliver a new application for the next round of funding proposals in 2013.
The OPAL website: www.oer-quality.org
7.4. Quality standards
Following discussions and consultations at the Standing Conference of Presidents meetings between 2008
and 2010, and the Policy Forum of 2010, it was determined that ICDE would seek external help in its aim to
explore and describe criteria for excellence and accreditation strategies for its members (Strategic Plan
2009-2012, page 5). It was envisaged that this would lead ultimately towards the creation of a template for
defining quality (Strategic Plan 2009-2012, page 5).
No acceptable proposal had been received, and it was envisaged that a new call would be announced in
2013.
7.5. Quality reviews
As a key action to promote quality in flexible and ICT-based education, ICDE will offer member institutions an
external peer review of the student learning experience (Strategic Plan 2009-2012, page 5). This is designed
to support institutions in their ambitions to enhance quality in student support, and in their developmental
work. The proposal is thus not accreditation but assessment of quality, the opportunity to learn from others
and to implement best practice.
During 2012, the Secretariat launched a call for expressions of interest for reviewers which has now created
a healthy pool of experts from all areas of the world. A Market survey was conducted, business case report
delivered, and the EC agreed that the Secretariat could launch this member service in 2013.
7.6. Teaching Online – an OER for teacher training in quality open and distance learning (ODL)
Given increased demand globally for faculty training in ODL and enhanced quality in distance and online
learning through open courseware at the higher education level, this initiative will lead to the development of
a high quality OER in the form of open online courseware for faculty training in open and distance and online
learning. This is a key strategy towards the aims stated in the Strategic Plan for defining quality in distance
education, creating a common language about distance education, while at the same time reflecting the
values and interests of both developed and developing countries. (Strategic Plan 2009-2012, page 5).
The organization carried out wide consultations including with the African Council for Open and Distance
Education (ACDE), Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU), European Association for Distance
Teaching Universities (EADTU), African Virtual University, China Open University, the Open University of the
Netherlands, UNESCO, The Commonwealth of Learning (COL), The OpenCourseWare Consortium, and
Sloan Consortium. These discussions concluded that the first regional areas of priority should be Africa and
Asia. A call for interest in establishing the project is foreseen to be launched in 2013.
13 ICDE Annual Report 2012
7.7. International awareness campaign for open, distance and online learning
ICDE aims to work with the education sector internationally to support the development of an understanding
of the values and possibilities of distance education as an instrument for lifelong learning (Strategic Plan
2009-2012, page 4).
Following considerable mapping and preparation work previously carried out by the University of South
Africa (Unisa), Study Portal was designated as an additional partner, with their DistanceLearningPortal.
Unisa and ICDE have established a better defined project description which will work towards increased
understanding for ODL among institutions, policy makers and society and provide added value for members.
The campaign was launched at the 2012 ICDE Standing Conference of Presidents meeting, and the purpose
is to increase visibility and recognition of open, distance and online learning (ODL), institutions offering ODL
and embracing ODL practices, and demonstrate their relevance in modern education. The campaign will
seek to demonstrate that higher education represents significant value for the individual and society, and in
particular through ODL; promote barrier-free access to higher education and the impact that higher
education has on skills development; create awareness of innovative practices and innovation in ODL, e.g.
MOOC’s, etc.; create awareness of participating associations and institutions; and create understanding of
quality in open, distance and online learning.
Activities will include the production of communication and marketing products and services, information for
students regarding open and distance learning opportunities worldwide through DistanceLearningPortal; new
prizes for innovative and best practice in ODL; the collecting and sharing of best practices and actions tied to
ICDE’s forthcoming 75th anniversary.
7.8. ICDE Chairs in Open Educational Resources and Open Educational Practices
The proposal for the establishment of ICDE Chairs in Open Educational Resources and Open Educational
Practices was announced at the 2012 ICDE Standing Conference of Presidents meeting. Institutional
members will be invited to suggest candidates and these will be peer reviewed by a panel of experts before
the Executive Committee appoints ICDE Chairs. The UNESCO Chairs on OER – who represent ICDE
member institutions – will be invited to become ICDE Chairs.
7.9. Applications for externally funded projects under preparation
A number of applications for external funding were under preparation in late 2012, for submission in 2013:
 European Commission: IDEAL – distance education and adult learners
 European Commission: LangOER – OER and smaller languages
 European Commission: OPENEdunet – Academic network/ project. A follow up project to the Open
Educational Quality Initiative (see 7.3.)
 Nordic Council of Ministers' NordPlus programme: A network on OER
8. Membership services
8.1. Communication with members
Continued emphasis on news dissemination has improved ICDE’s visibility and the general information flow
to members. A separate newsletter is usually prepared for ICDE members in order to provide extra exposure
for member benefits including special offers and reduced conference fees. The investment in a customer
relationship management database represents an important tool for tracking and maintaining relations with
individual stakeholders both within member institutions and beyond. In 2012, ICDE also began to use Google
Groups for online discussions, and also began to invoice for the ICDE membership fee through electronic
invoicing.
8.2. Benefits for ICDE members
ICDE sought during 2012 to increase awareness of the specific benefits available to existing and potential
ICDE members. A summary of benefits was distributed to members and published on the ICDE website with
dissemination through the organization’s news channels. ICDE also concluded agreements with third-party
organizations for a number of special offers.
8.3. Recruitment of new members
During 2012, significant work was carried out with the aim of increasing the number of members, ensuring
that ICDE is open and globally representative, and ensuring a fair and firm membership policy. Analysis of
ICDE Annual Report 2012 14
the membership structure was presented to the Executive Committee and revised membership fees and
special offers for 2013 decided.
The ICDE Secretariat actively follows up all enquiries regarding membership, and works to encourage
members which have failed to renew, to return to the organization.
Prospective member institutions are required to provide evidence of recognition in their home country before
their applications are presented to ICDE’s Executive Committee for approval.
By the end of 2012, ICDE had 136 paying members comprising 104 institutions, agencies and authorities (an
increase from 98 in 2011), and 32 individual members (an increase from 22 in 2011), in addition to 14
associate members, and honorary members.
20 new individual members joined ICDE in 2012, and 17 new institutional members came into the
organization. These were:
 Anadolu University, Turkey
 Arab Open University (AOU), Kuwait
 Beyond Distance Research Alliance, University of Leicester, UK
 CAP College Foundation, Inc., Philippines
 Cyber Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Korea
 Eurasian Open Institute, Russian Federation
 Kstudy Korea Distance Lifelong Education Center, Korea
 Massey University - Office of Distance Education, New Zealand
 Ministry of National Education and Culture, Indonesia
 Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education, Trinidad and Tobago
 National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Nigeria
 NKI Nettstudier, Norway
 Open University of Tanzania
 Thompson Rivers University, Canada
 Universidad Blas Pascal, Argentina
 Universidad Estatal a Distancia – UNED, Costa Rica, Central America
 Virtual University of Pakistan
8.4. Regional and key national associations
The ICDE Strategic Plan states that ICDE should work more closely with national and regional organizations
(Strategic Plan 2009-2012, page 6).
Associate membership allows associations to play a role in ICDE task forces and projects, to launch
activities and events in partnership with ICDE, to promote links between the organization’s members and
ICDE members, and to work together to disseminate news of projects and initiatives.
Presidents of seven associate members contributed regional reports for publication in the ICDE Highlights
publication which appeared in early 2012 and two successful telephone meetings conducted on World OER
Congress and ideas for the promotion of ODL. In late 2012, the ICDE Executive Committee decided to
establish the ICDE Consultative Committee (ICC) for the period 2013-2015 in which representatives from
regional associations are invited to participate. A mandate is to be developed early in 2013.
8.5. Membership fees
During 2012, the Executive Committee authorized the Secretariat to make a number of changes to its
membership policy from 2013, including an increase in fees by 10%, a requirement that membership fees be
paid by the start of the calendar year, and the stipulation that members leaving the organization remain liable
for unpaid membership fees where notice of leaving is not given within a specified timeframe.
9. Information
ICDE seeks to be the global arena for the discussion of distance education policy and publications and
dissemination of information are central to this objective (Strategic Plan 2009-2012, page 3). ICDE continued
its work to improving its website and information dissemination during the year (Strategic Plan 2009-2012,
page 5 and page 6).
Open Praxis, was re-launched in 2012 (Strategic Plan 2009-2012, page 6).
15 ICDE Annual Report 2012
9.1. Printed materials
The annual Highlights publication was published in January 2012 and distributed to ICDE members and
stakeholders. A publication entitled ICDE Achievements was produced in June 2012, and was distributed at
the European Distance and E-Learning Network Annual Conference, and subsequently sent to members.
Flyers were also prepared to promote Open Praxis and membership offers at key events.
9.2. Electronic media
According to the Strategic Plan, the ICDE website should be used for dissemination, as a source of
reference and as an arena for cooperation and interaction (Strategic Plan 2009-2012, pages 4-6).
During 2012, the ICDE Secretariat sustained the regular publication of news stories and its email newsletter
service which is sent to approximately 15,000 active email addresses, normally twice per month.
The organization also uses Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and SlideShare to disseminate news and resources.
www.facebook.com/icde.org www.twitter.com/icde_org
www.youtube.com/icdevideos www.slideshare.net/icdeslides
9.3. Open Praxis, the peer-reviewed open access journal of ICDE
During 2012, Inés Gil Jaurena of Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Spain, having
been selected by ICDE’s Executive Committee as the editor of Open Praxis carried out work – with support
from the ICDE Secretariat – to form and activate an Editorial Board, set up a new website for the journal,
launch a calls for papers, and carry out promotion through Twitter and other channels. Volume 5 issue 1 on
the theme of openness in higher education was under preparation by the end of 2012 with eleven papers
accepted for publication, and was due to be published in January 2013.
ICDE’s Executive Committee also determined during 2012 that Universidad Nacional de Educación a
Distancia (UNED), Spain would continue as host for the journal during the period 2014-2015.
www.openpraxis.org www.twitter.com/icdeop
10. Representation at conferences and meetings
ICDE’s Executive Committee and Secretary General receive frequent invitations to attend third-party
conferences. It is usual for the hosting institution or the Executive Committee member’s own institution to
fund their participation. During 2012, ICDE was represented at the following conferences:
 Policy and Strategy Round Table: Creating a Culture of Shared Knowledge in the Arab World: The
Role of Open Educational Resources, Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU), Dubai, UAE,
30 January. Frits Pannekoek, chair; Gard Titlestad, participant
 Education in a Social Transformation Era: Innovate or Evaporate, HBMeU Annual Congress 2012,
Dubai, UAE, 31 January - 1 February. Frits Pannekoek, presentation; Gard Titlestad, presentation x
2
 Opportunities from a more open and online world, Academic staff seminar, China Open University,
Beijing, China, 21 February. Gard Titlestad, lecture
 The AVU Multinational Project Policy Harmonization and Curriculum Conceptualization Workshop,
Kenya, Nairobi, 9 - 12 July; Gard Titlestad, presentation
 OECD Institutional Management in Higher Education General Conference, Paris, France, 17 -19
September, 2012. Gard Titlestad, paper and presentation
 The integration of open and flexible education in European higher education systems; New Models,
New markets, New Media, European Association of Distance Teaching Universities 25th Anniversary
Conference, Paphos, Cyprus, 27-28 September. Gard Titlestad, presentation
 Challenges and opportunities from a more open and online world, The 4th Smart E-Learning Russia
Conference, 9-10 October, Moscow, Russia. Gard Titlestad, video presentation
ICDE Annual Report 2012 16
 ICDE in a nutshell - An introduction for the Board of Directors SLOAN C, Orlando, Florida, USA, 9
October. Gard Titlestad, presentation
 The Arkansas Distance Learning Association (ARDLA), Arkansas, USA, 10 October. Challenges and
opportunities coming from a more open and online world. Gard Titlestad, Skype-presentation
 18th Annual Sloan Consortium International Conference on Online Learning, Orlando, USA, 10 – 12
October. Gard Titlestad, participant
 The Sixth Meeting of the CCNGO/EFA, UNESCO, Paris, France, 24 -26 October. Gard Titlestad,
participant
 International Association of Universities 14th General Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA 27-
30 November. Open Educational Resources (OER): Tomorrow’s Main Educational Provider? Gard
Titlestad, presentation
 UNESCO Norway: Open Access, Oslo, Norway, 5 December. Gard Titlestad, participant
 Norway Opening Universities (NOU) board meeting, 6 December. ICDE, and what is happening with
regards to OER, MOOCs and open and online education? Gard Titlestad, presentation
 Opening up education through technologies - European Ministerial Conference 2012. Oslo, Norway,
10 – 11 December. Gard Titlestad, participant
 International Conference of NGOs, UNESCO, Paris, France, 12-14 December. Gard Titlestad,
participant
11. Governance
According to ICDE’s constitution, ICDE has three business bodies. The Executive Committee is responsible
for making policy decisions in accordance with ICDE’s mission and constitution, the Board of Trustees
advises the Executive Committee, and monitors the conduct of the Secretary General, the President and
members of the Executive Committee, while the Election Committee exists to verify the qualifications of
potential candidates for the Executive Committee.
11.1. The Executive Committee
The members of the ICDE Executive Committee are (left to right):
 Yang Zhijian, President, The Open University of China
 Alan Tait, Professor of Distance Education and Development, the Open University, UK
 Marta Mena, Director of Virtual Training Program for Researchers at the Secretariat of Science,
Technology and Graduate Studies, National Technological University (Universidad Tecnológica
Nacional), Argentina
 Tian Belawati, Rector, Universitas Terbuka, Indonesia (President)
 Mandla S. Makhanya, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, the University of South Africa (UNISA)
17 ICDE Annual Report 2012
Secretary General, Gard Titlestad is also pictured (far left). Frits Pannekoek, President, Athabasca
University, Canada is absent from this photograph.
The new Executive Committee of ICDE took office from 1 January 2012. The Committee is composed of six
elected members, one of whom is elected by the individual members of ICDE, while five members are
elected from and by ICDE’s member institutions. The extra contribution made by a small number of member
institutions in terms of the time of the Executive Committee members, their support staff, and travel costs
represents a significant contribution in kind to ICDE.
During 2012 Alan Tait of ICDE member institution, the Open University, UK was co-opted to the Executive
Committee succeeding Denise Kirkpatrick who left the Open University, UK for a new position as Pro Vice-
Chancellor of Student Experience at the University of Adelaide, Australia.
Eight Executive Committee meetings were held during 2012 including two physical meetings in Oslo in
February and at the Standing Conference of Presidents meeting in Dubai in November.
11.2. The Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is composed of five persons. The Board aims to reflect the diversity of the ICDE
membership culturally, linguistically and geographically, as well as in the expertise of its members.
During the period 2009-2012, members were:
 David Sewart, Former President of ICDE, and Former Director of Student Services at The Open
University, UK (Chair)
 Svein Haaland, Former Rector of Lillehammer University College, Norway (Vice-Chair)
 Ingeborg Boe, Member of the Board of Directors of the European Foundation for Quality in Elearning
(EFQUEL), Norway
 Atwi Suparman, Former Rector of Universitas Terbuka, Indonesia
 Ezra Maritim, Former Vice-Chancellor of Egerton University, Kenya
During 2012, applicants for a new Board of Trustees were sought and the following applicants were
accepted by the Executive Committee:
 David Sewart, Former President of ICDE, and Former Director of Student Services at The Open
University, UK (reappointed as Chair)
 Svein Haaland, Former Rector of Lillehammer University College, Norway (reappointed as Vice-
Chair)
 Umarany Coomaraswamy, Former Vice Chancellor of The Open University of Sri Lanka (new)
 Fredric Michael Litto, Founding President of the Brazilian Association for Distance Education—ABED
(new)
 Susan D'Antoni, Former Programme Specialist at the UNESCO International Institute for Educational
Planning and Education Division. Now Advisor to the President for International Open Educational
Resources Initiatives at Athabasca University and associated with the UNESCO/COL Chair in OER.
(new)
The Executive Committee invites a representative of the ICDE Board of Trustees to attend each physical
meeting of the Executive Committee in the role of observer. In 2012, David Sewart attended the physical
meeting in Oslo, and Svein Haaland attended the meeting in Dubai.
11.3. The Election Committee
The members of the ICDE Election Committee are:
 Ingeborg Boe, Member of the Board of Directors of the European Foundation for Quality in Elearning
(EFQUEL), Norway (Chair)
 Nicholas H. Allen, Provost Emeritus and Collegiate Professor at University of Maryland University
College (UMUC), USA
 Helmut Hoyer, Rector, FernUniversität in Hagen, Germany
During 2012, Dr. Allen replaced Gary E. Miller, Executive Director Emeritus, Penn State University World
Campus, USA.
ICDE Annual Report 2012 18
11.4. Changes to the ICDE Constitution
During 2012, the Joint Governmental and Constitutional Committee composed of members of both the
Executive Committee and Board of Trustees made a proposal for suggested changes to the Constitution,
which will be put to the vote of members during 2013.
12. Financial summary
ICDE’s audited annual accounts for 2012 are available for members to access on the ICDE Extranet.
Income for 2012 was NOK 3,448,435 with the corresponding figure for 2011 of NOK 3,665,597.
ICDE had a deficit on the operating result of NOK 104,992, compared with NOK 34,187 in 2011, and the
result shows a deficit of NOK 155,408*, compared with NOK 39,844 in 2011.
By the end of the year 2012, ICDE’s total assets were NOK 2,707,112 compared with NOK 2, 408,915 in
2011, while ICDE’s total liabilities in December 2012 were NOK 1,038,963 compared with NOK 585,359 in
2011.
By 31 December 2012, equity was NOK 1,668,149, while in 2011, equity was NOK 1,823,557. This equity
includes a reserve fund equivalent to the wind up costs of the organization.
Note EUR = NOK 7.4; USD = NOK 5.5
*In March 2012, the Executive Committee agreed that ICDE could make investments of up to NOK 600.000
from its reserves.
13. Conclusion
This Annual Report has sought to describe ICDE’s activities during 2012 and to present them in relation to
the ICDE Strategic Plan.
After a weaker period for ICDE from 2000 and onwards, ICDE has since 2008 been rebuilt as a platform for
facilitating members’ initiatives for open, distance, online and e-learning and can point to the following key
achievements for 2012:
 Based on the constitution determined by its members, ICDE's activities are anchored in its Strategic
Plan.
 A new ICDE Strategic Plan for 2013-2016 was developed with a strong focus on activities providing
added value.
 Renewed and strengthened partnership with UNESCO.
 New and strong partnerships with key actors for joint initiatives.
 Intensified knowledge exchange and professional developments through global and regional
conferences.
 Consolidation of the yearly ICDE leadership forum through the Standing Conference of Presidents
(SCOP).
 Open Praxis launched as an open access peer-reviewed journal.
 Yearly growth in membership; member numbers increased 25% since 2008.
 Most regional associations in open, distance and online education in the world are ICDE members.
 The ICDE website has been developed as a knowledge hub for open, distance and online learning,
with a regular newsletter.
 The organization has a modest, but sound economic basis.
 There is discernible momentum in ICDE members and ICDE as an organization contributing to the
global and regional debate on reinventing education.
 There is momentum towards the organization of several externally directed initiatives and events.
 There is increased interest from members to engage in ICDE activities.
 The ICDE Secretariat now has outward focus, directed to facilitate members’ initiatives.
In sum, since 2008 ICDE has undergone a process of consolidation to become a reliable and sustainable
platform and network for open, distance, online and e-learning, ready for the years to come.
ICDE’s members play a leading role in
shaping the future of education worldwide