PCF10 Calgary: A tip of the hat to all!
The much-anticipated Tenth Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF10) — co-hosted by COL and Athabasca University — kicked off on 14 September 2022. And after its conclusion it was, by all metrics, crowned a resounding success. PCF, a triennial event, has historically brought ministers of education, university vice-chancellors, senior officials, plus a range of educators and open and distance learning (ODL) practitioners together from around the Commonwealth and beyond. In fact, PCF10 boasted a gathering of more ministers from more Commonwealth nations than ever before. Nearly 500 attendees from over 50 countries, including 42 Commonwealth nations, participated in-person and virtually.
The convention’s Opening Ceremony commenced with old-fashioned Calgary hospitality – the symbolic White Hat ceremony. Signature white Stetson hats are traditionally presented to visitors who are granted the status of honorary Calgarians. Just prior to the donning of the Stetsons, traditional First Nations blessings were given by Tsuut‘ina Elder Bruce Starlight.
Hosted in Canada for the very first time, forum attendees gathered in the main hall to watch a virtual greeting by the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, followed by an in-person address by the Honourable Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Prime Minister of Samoa.
PCF10 brought hundreds together to learn and share innovations on the application of ODL with the intent of increasing access to quality education and training in order to provide relevant skills for better employment and entrepreneurship.
With the theme of “Innovations for Educational Resilience,” the forum acknowledged how Covid-19 has made a significant impact on education and training. With a focus on how to build resilient education systems, PCF10 addressed the pressing issues of learning loss due to school closures and lack of access to technology for teaching and learning.
At the conclusion of each PCF, synthesising the outcome of the event is a tradition that articulates and encapsulates great discussions and discoveries, as well as an opportunity to take these learnings and actions back to each attendees’ home country. The Calgary Communique reflected these traditions while offering new insights and inspirations for the future of ODL.
