Strategic Partnerships for a Global, Interoperable Learning Ecosystem
Introduction
The GDN Network is committed to building a seamless, interoperable, and trusted digital ecosystem for learning and employment. As the need for verifiable, portable, and learner-owned credentials grows, GDN Network is forging strategic partnerships with global leaders in credentialing, standards, and recognition frameworks. These collaborations aim to accelerate alignment on data models, trust registries, and interoperability across regions and sectors.
Explore the GDN Strategic Plan and our Network of Networks Call to Action to learn more
Looking Ahead
These partnerships and endorsements represent GDN Network’s commitment to global cooperation in creating a learner-centered, trust-based network of networks to support learner mobility and credential mobility. Through shared principles, joint projects, aligned standards, and interoperable technologies, we are shaping the future of digital recognition and lifelong learning in keeping with the aspirations of the UNESCO Global Convention. These MOU’s and endorsed projects represent important components of the GDN strategic plan.
For inquiries or to explore partnership opportunities, contact Joanne Duklas, GDN Executive Director, at execdir@groningendeclaration.org.
New Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)
GDN Network is proud to announce formal partnership agreements with the following organizations, these MOUs mark a significant step toward harmonizing credentialing infrastructure across jurisdictions and sectors.
Credential Engine
Credential Engine advances transparency and coherence of non-personal (non-PII) data about the artifacts of education, training, and workforce development, such as providers, programs, credentials, skills, courses, outcomes, indicators of quality, transfer, pathways, etc.
Sample outcome:
– GDN Conversation Series with Credential Engine
Pan-Canadian Consortium on Admissions and Transfer (PCCAT)
PCCAT supports student mobility and credit recognition in Canada by fostering pan-Canadian collaboration on pathways and transferability.
Sample outcome:
– GDN/PCCAT Regional Meeting
Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council (PESC)
As a leader in data standards for education and workforce, PESC promotes interoperability and open data exchange among educational institutions, employers, and government agencies.
Sample outcome:
– Active advisors and contributors to working groups and convenings.
Velocity Network Foundation
A global nonprofit building the internet of careers, Velocity is dedicated to empowering individuals with control over their verifiable credentials through blockchain-based technology.
Sample outcome:
– GDN Conversation Series; Exploring Dimensions of Trust
Endorsed Projects & Initiatives
As part of our shared commitment to interoperability and trust, GDN Network and its partners endorse and contribute to several high-impact global initiatives:
The Universal Human Rights Tool for Academic Mobility
The Article 26 Backpack™ empowers young people to plan and structure their higher education, training and career pathways. With the Backpack, they can tell their stories of achievement, accomplishments and ambition.
Credential Engine's Quality Assurance CTDL Project: Credential Engine is enhancing the Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) to include quality assurance data, enabling better comparability and transparency across credentials.
A global collaboration promoting coordinated data standards development across the digital credentialing ecosystem.
The Project Advancing Digital Solutions in Recognition Data Sharing (DigiLink) aims to promote the use of digital solutions to share recognition data between ENIC-NARIC centres, higher education institutions, learners, and other stakeholders.
How can digital student data solutions and digitization of the credential evaluation process support fair and smooth recognition in line with the Lisbon Recognition Convention?
That question was central to the DigiRec project, which systematically explored the relationship between digital student data and the recognition of foreign qualifications.
The Groningen Declaration Network (GDN) provided a position paper on the European Commission’s broad-based consultative work to establish a definition for micro-credentials.
The GDN Endorsed the Paris Declaration on Open Recognition. These principles advocate for inclusive and learner-centered approaches to recognizing all forms of learning.
The European Qualifications Passport for Refugees is a standardized document issued in a project carried out by the Council of Europe and partners.
The GDN is an observer of the UNESCO Global Convention, actively encouraging organizations and institutions to adopt its principles in credential recognition practices that support lifelong learning.