25.11.2025, 20:00–20:45 o'clock (Europe/Berlin), Plenary Hour
Join this session to discover UNESCO’s global efforts in the field of Open Educational Resources (OER)! This event will provide insights into UNESCO’s key initiatives to promote free and open access to high-quality educational materials. Learn about the UNESCO Recommendation on OER, the OER Dynamic Coalition and many other of UNESCO’s activities on OER and how they support inclusive, equitable, and lifelong learning opportunities for all. The event will explore the importance of fostering international cooperation and advancing the implementation of open education worldwide. Join us to learn more and get involved!
Names of contributors:
Zeynep Varoglu, UNESCO
Mindy Newfarmer, ISKME
Zeynep Varoglu is a Senior Programme Specialist in the Universal Access to Information Section of the Communication and Information Sector at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris. She oversees the Sector’s global portfolio on Open Educational Resources (OER), providing strategic direction for UNESCO’s support to Member States in the implementation of the 2019 Recommendation on OER and leading initiatives that promote inclusive, sustainable, and equitable open learning ecosystems. She also directs the global implementation of the ICT Competency Framework for Teachers (ICT-CFT), ensuring its effective contextualization through OER projects and integration into national learning and capacity-building strategies.
Ms. Varoglu also oversees UNESCO’s global open access initiatives, advancing policies and frameworks that strengthen access to scientific publications and open data. Her work fosters knowledge sharing and innovation across sectors, supporting the development of open science and digital transformation in learning.
She works closely with governments, intergovernmental organizations, academia, and civil society to build multi-stakeholder partnerships and promote evidence-based policy approaches that advance universal access to information and inclusive digital learning.
Ms. Varoglu holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the University of Toronto and a Master of Education (MEd) from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto.
Building meaningful learning journeys, helping learners with digital competences regardless of their affinity with technology and bringing a global and open perspective to the table, since 2007!
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- Open for the Netherlands – It was 20 years ago today
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- Open for Democracy! “Beyond Cost Savings: Open Education as Resistance” (Rebroadcast from OpenEd24)
- Open for Malaysia – Access and Inclusion in Malaysia’s Digital Education Policy