| UNESCO
Open Training Platform Mobilizes More Than 90 Online
Volunteers By
providing access to 2,380 free online learning resources
for development, the UNESCO-powered Open Training
Platform (OTP) aims to build the capacities of local
communities, trainers and decision makers in developing
countries to help them address development challenges.
Since its launch one year ago, around 90 online
volunteers have contributed to the platform’s further
development. OTP Programme Officer Armelle Armou says:
“We are a small team. Online volunteers complemented our
competencies, took part in our team and contributed to
the success of the OTP. They engaged in many ways, from
researching new learning resources to reviewing the
project document that we then presented to potential
donors.”
Documentalist Nathalie Yadovleff familiarized herself
with the vocabulary of the e-learning field to prepare
for her assignment. By contributing to the translation
of the website into French, she helped strengthen the
platform’s outreach to francophone Africa. Building on
what she had learnt, she continued her involvement and
translated a project document to help attract donors for
the French website. “My focal point at the OTP knew how
to win my trust. I felt like a mediator for their
project. Moreover, I appreciated receiving comments on
my work. Of course I knew that my collaboration was
useful and expected, I have worked on it conscientiously
and invested myself in it, and thanks are so welcome and
rewarding!”
“Volunteer work has long been a field of strong personal
interest”, says Monique Petiot, who also contributed to
the translation of the website. Her job as finance and
treasury system consultant requires extensive
international travel. “With volunteering online I
discovered the ideal solution to my situation,” says
Monique Petiot. “Since I am not a professional
translator, being selected boosted my motivation even
further: It was a challenge and I was eager to deliver
high quality.”
Lidija Bogdanovic, a medical doctor from Croatia, spent
around 6 hours a week on the task of researching
contacts for the database of local community centers in
developing countries. She enjoyed working with other
volunteers in a team. “Each of us was assigned a
specific region. We worked very well together, and our
work benefited from the exchange of ideas.” The database
facilitates the outreach to target audiences in
developing countries.
Another team of online volunteers engaged in the
development of a business model for the OTP. They used
an online collaboration tool to distribute amongst
themselves the various components of the task and
debated over email the options and solutions that would
help the OTP achieve sustainability.
Armelle Armou: “All 90 online volunteers contributed
differently according to their availability and
personality, and gave our team the chance to rely on
highly professional, rigorous and friendly people
worldwide. They helped us face the challenge of an
ambitious project and made a real impact.”
For more information see:
http://opentraining.unesco-ci.org/
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