Gateways Dialogue
Explore resources from the Gateways Initiative for public digital learning
The UNESCO-UNICEF Gateways Dialogue facilitates cross-border knowledge sharing about how to strengthen public digital learning platforms and ensure that education is supported in online and digital environments, as well as in the physical and social spaces of schools and universities. Organized monthly, the Dialogues seek to benefit national focal points that are tasked with overseeing or improving major digital learning platforms and content. Upcoming Gateways Dialogues are announced on the UNICEF website about the Gateways to Public Digital Learning Initiative.
Gateways Dialogue #1
The Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB) team discussed their national digital learning platform. Through presentations and Q&A, they shared lessons on developing, sustaining, and enriching a platform that supports millions of students, teachers, and families in Egypt.
The speakers also explained the EKB ecosystem, addressing how it meets educational needs, negotiates with publishers, achieves cost-efficiencies, supports various users and devices, and uses data to enhance services.
Gateways Dialogue #2
In an interactive dialogue with UNESCO and UNICEF, speakers from Ceibal shared their experiences and lessons learned, especially in managing two of their platforms – Open Resources Platform and Valijas.
The team from Ceibal shared their insights on the impact of their work on Uruguayan students, the strategies for navigating and communicating later stages of digital transformation such as pedagogical innovation, and the importance of partnerships with UN agencies. The Q&A session offered participants valuable insights into the key success factors, effective communication with teachers, and managing partnerships, especially with higher-level ministries.
Gateways Dialogue #3
The third Gateways Dialogue showcased how Indonesia is leveraging various digital platforms to enhance the equity and quality of education. The Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology shared effective practices and innovative strategies for transforming national education systems.
In response, the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture launched the Merdeka Belajar (Emancipated Learning) initiative in 2019, aiming to improve learning outcomes across the country. Since then, Indonesia has seen a 14% increase in students achieving minimum competency in literacy and a 27% increase in numeracy. Most teachers (over three million active users) in Indonesia are happily using the digital platform led by the Ministry. Strong leadership and technology have been key to implementing cost-effective digital solutions to scale and accelerate educational improvements and reform.
Gateways Dialogue #4
The fourth Gateways Dialogue featured Finland’s National Library of Open Educational Resources (aoe.fi), a platform that facilitates the sharing of high-quality, open-access educational materials across various subjects, supporting Finland's commitment to digital learning and innovation. The platform is maintained by the Finnish National Agency for Education. Additionally, the session features the Finna Search Service (finna.fi), which provides centralized access to Finland’s rich cultural heritage, educational, and scientific resources. The platform is widely used in teaching and learning, and it contains tailored and curated materials for education. Finna is maintained and developed by the National Library of Finland.