Commonwealth of Learning
An intergovernmental Commonwealth organization that expands access to education through open learning, distance education and educational technology.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organization of the Commonwealth dedicated to widening access to education through open learning, distance education and the effective use of educational technologies. It works with Commonwealth governments, universities, schools, non-governmental organizations, development agencies and other institutions rather than operating primarily as a conventional commercial education provider. Its work is intended especially to support learners and education systems that face geographic, financial, institutional or technological barriers. COL was established following the 1987 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and inaugurated in 1988. Its name refers to a phrase associated with the philosopher John Locke: knowledge accumulated by generations of thinkers and made available for the benefit of humanity. At its creation, the organization emphasized education and teaching capacity as tools for economic and social development. Over time, its remit developed into a broader programme covering open educational resources, teacher and professional development, policy advice, institutional capacity building, online and blended learning, and collaborative work among small states. The organization functions as a convenor and capacity builder. It helps partners design and deliver distance-learning programmes, develop learning materials, strengthen quality assurance, train educators and administrators, and use digital systems to reach learners at scale. Its activities include technical assistance, research, knowledge sharing, professional training, networks and collaborative projects. The Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth is one of its best-known initiatives: a network through which small countries collaborate on post-secondary education and course development. COL has also supported online learning and open-education cooperation through partnerships with Commonwealth universities and other institutions. COL’s strategic direction has increasingly been connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 4, which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. A six-year strategic planning process launched in 2015 aligned the organization’s work with that agenda. Its 2021–2027 strategy was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and renewed emphasis on the role of distance education and technology in maintaining educational continuity and creating more resilient systems. In that framework, COL presents itself as an enabler, capacity builder and catalyst for educational development. The organization is funded mainly through voluntary contributions from Commonwealth governments, with core support generally renewed on a three-year cycle. It also receives project and development contributions and undertakes fee-for-service work involving course delivery, training and distance-education support for international agencies. Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa and the United Kingdom are identified as major contributors and have representation on its governing board. COL hosts the Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning every three years. The forum brings together ministers, policymakers, educators, researchers and practitioners, and includes the Excellence in Distance Education Awards. The tenth forum, held in Calgary in September 2022 with Athabasca University, was the first hybrid edition and attracted nearly 500 participants from 53 countries. Its Calgary Communique called for faster progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, stronger innovation in education systems and collective responses to climate-related challenges. The eleventh forum is scheduled for fall 2025 in Gaborone, Botswana, in partnership with Botswana Open University. In 2024, Professor Peter Scott became COL’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
History
The Commonwealth of Learning emerged from discussions among Commonwealth leaders about using education and communications technology to support development across member countries. Its creation was agreed at the 1987 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and the organization was inaugurated in 1988. The name invokes the idea of a shared body of knowledge accumulated over time and made available for public benefit. During its early period, COL concentrated on education as an instrument of economic development. It promoted teaching skills, distance education and cooperation among institutions that could not easily provide conventional campus-based opportunities. Its intergovernmental character enabled it to work across national systems while relying on partnerships with ministries, universities, development agencies and civil-society organizations. The organization subsequently broadened its work to include open learning, educational technology, open educational resources, teacher development, policy support and institutional strengthening. Rather than replacing national education systems, COL generally helps partners create or improve their own programmes, materials, delivery models and quality processes. This approach has been particularly relevant to small states and communities separated by distance or limited by shortages of specialist staff. A major expression of this role is the Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth, a cooperative network intended to improve post-secondary access and quality through shared course development and online delivery. COL has also supported wider Commonwealth collaboration in online learning and has worked with international agencies on training and distance-education delivery. From 2015, COL organized its strategic planning around the Sustainable Development Goals, with particular attention to SDG 4 and the objective of inclusive, equitable quality education and lifelong learning. Its 2021–2027 strategic plan was shaped by the disruption caused by COVID-19. The plan renewed the organization’s focus on access, technology-enabled learning and educational resilience, while describing COL’s functions as enabling, building capacity and catalyzing development. COL’s Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning provides a recurring venue for policy and professional exchange. The tenth forum took place in Calgary in September 2022 and was co-hosted with Athabasca University. It used a hybrid format and drew nearly 500 policymakers, practitioners and thought leaders from 53 countries. The resulting Calgary Communique connected open learning with faster progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, resilient education systems and responses to climate change. The eleventh forum is planned for Gaborone, Botswana, in partnership with Botswana Open University. In 2024, Professor Peter Scott was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. The organization is headquartered in British Columbia, Canada, and continues to be supported primarily by voluntary contributions from Commonwealth governments.
- 2025
Planned eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum
[1]PCF11 is scheduled for Gaborone, Botswana, in partnership with Botswana Open University.
- 2024
Peter Scott appointed president and chief executive
[1]Professor Peter Scott became COL’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
- 2022
Tenth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning
[1]COL and Athabasca University hosted PCF10 in Calgary in a hybrid format, with participants from 53 countries.
- 2021
2021–2027 strategic plan
[1]The new strategy, developed during the COVID-19 period, emphasized distance education, technology, access, capacity building and more resilient learning systems.
- 2015
Strategic alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals
[1]COL developed a six-year strategic plan linking its work to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially inclusive and equitable education under SDG 4.
- 1988
Commonwealth of Learning inaugurated
[1]COL formally began operations as an intergovernmental organization of the Commonwealth.
- 1987
Creation agreed at Commonwealth leaders’ meeting
[1]The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting agreed to establish an organization devoted to education and distance-learning cooperation.
Products and positioning
Intergovernmental education and development organization focused on open learning, distance education, digital learning capacity and equitable access to education.
Collaborative higher education network
Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth
A network of small Commonwealth states that collaborate on post-secondary education, course development and technology-enabled delivery. It is intended to expand access and improve quality where national systems may lack sufficient scale or specialist capacity.
Online higher education
Commonwealth Online Learning University
An online learning initiative intended to work collaboratively with universities across the Commonwealth. It reflects COL’s broader objective of using networked delivery and shared expertise to widen participation in higher education.
Education and training services · 1988
Professional training and capacity building
COL provides or supports training for educators, administrators and institutions in areas such as distance education, open learning, digital delivery, learning-resource development and educational policy. Delivery is often undertaken with national and institutional partners.
Marketing campaigns
- 2025Eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning
Commonwealth countries · International
COL is scheduled to hold the eleventh edition of its triennial open-learning forum in Gaborone, Botswana, with Botswana Open University.
Outcome. The event is planned; a final outcome is not yet available.
- 2022Tenth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning
Commonwealth countries · International
COL and Athabasca University convened policymakers, practitioners and thought leaders in Calgary for a hybrid forum focused on open learning, educational resilience and innovation.
Outcome. The forum produced the Calgary Communique and highlighted collective action on SDG progress, resilient education systems and climate-related challenges.
Brand decisions
2022
Adopt the Calgary CommuniqueOtherBackground
The tenth Pan-Commonwealth Forum considered how open learning could contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and respond to climate-related pressures.
Action taken
Forum participants issued a communiqué calling for faster progress, educational innovation, resilient systems and collective action.
Aftermath
The communiqué became the principal public statement associated with PCF10.
2021
Reinforce distance learning and education-system resilienceStrategyBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the need for flexible learning provision and stronger digital education capacity.
Action taken
COL’s 2021–2027 strategic plan renewed its focus on access, distance education, technology and its roles as enabler, capacity builder and catalyst.
Aftermath
The strategy positioned open and distance learning as central tools for maintaining access and supporting resilient education systems.
2015
Align long-term work with the Sustainable Development GoalsStrategyBackground
The organization reviewed its direction in the context of the global Sustainable Development Goals and the goal of inclusive, equitable quality education.
Action taken
COL adopted a six-year strategic plan with particular emphasis on SDG 4 and lifelong learning.
Aftermath
The SDGs became an important framework for subsequent programmes and institutional priorities.
Recent events
- 2025
Eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum planned for Gaborone[1]
Other
COL announced plans for the eleventh forum in Gaborone, Botswana, in partnership with Botswana Open University.
- 2024
Professor Peter Scott appointed President and Chief Executive Officer[1]
Leadership change
Peter Scott was appointed to lead the Commonwealth of Learning as President and Chief Executive Officer.
- 2022
Tenth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning held in Calgary[1]
Other
COL and Athabasca University co-hosted the first hybrid Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning, bringing together participants from 53 countries.
- 2022
Calgary Communique calls for faster education and climate action[1]
Other
The forum’s communiqué urged collective action to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, strengthen education resilience and address climate challenges.
Sources2 sources
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