ICDE's strength lies in its connections. By partnering with associations and networks around the globe, we help members exchange knowledge, collaborate across borders, and tackle the challenges facing open and distance education today.
International Partners and Networks
ICDE is part of several international networks and has a number of collaborative partnerships around the world.
The ICDE Secretariat links its community to each other and to leading regional and international associations. These partnerships open up knowledge exchange and cross-border collaboration across the globe. Learn more ↓
Consultative Partner
UNESCO
ICDE has been a consultative partner to UNESCO since 1969, and works with them 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. ICDE is also a member of the UNESCO Global Education Coalition.
Explore ICDE partners
The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF)
The Aga Khan Foundation's Learning Hub is a free online learning platform. Aimed at development practitioners and communities worldwide, it pairs local knowledge with global best practice to make skills-building accessible to everyone, anytime, anywhere.
Learn moreEuropean Training Foundation (ETF)
The European Training Foundation (ETF) is an EU agency based in Turin, Italy, that helps neighbouring and developing countries reform their education, training, and labour market systems to make the most of their human capital.
Learn moreUNESCO-ICHEI
UNESCO-ICHEI (International Centre for Higher Education Innovation under the auspices of UNESCO), based in Shenzhen, China, drives the digital transformation and AI integration of higher education in developing countries across Asia and Africa through flagship initiatives like the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE), micro-certifications, and smart classrooms, in support of SDG 4.
Learn moreLearningPlanet Alliance
The LearningPlanet Festival is a free, UNESCO-backed annual global event run by the Learning Planet Institute that unites educators, youth, and organisations worldwide—drawing participants from over 190 countries—to reimagine education around learning to care for oneself, others, and the planet.
Learn moreThe Flexible Learning Association of New Zealand (FLANZ)
The Flexible Learning Association of New Zealand (FLANZ) is a membership organisation that supports educators and advances research and professional practice in open, distance, blended, and flexible learning across all sectors of New Zealand education.
Learn moreInternational Community of Online Schools (ICONS)
The International Community of Online Schools (ICONS) is a global network, launched in 2023 by Belgium's d-teach online school, that advocates for the recognition of K-12 online schools and connects them to share good practices, engage policymakers, and pursue joint international funding in support of inclusive education (SDG4).
Learn moreInstitutions working together
Why Partnerships Matter
ICDE in global networks
Knowledge Equity Network
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Benchmarking Framework for Online, Open, Smart and Technology-Enhanced Higher Education
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Network of Open Orgs
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World Digital Education Alliance
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