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The àËÅöÊÓƵ Institute in Paris (ULIP), with support from the Centre for Online and Distance Education (CODE) hosted a conference at Senate House on 3 and 4 July 2024 that highlighted the potential for online and distance education to serve as a powerful tool for fostering discourse around the role of higher education, research, and knowledge exchange in transnational cooperation. Building on the success of the first  àËÅöÊÓƵ Knowledge Diplomacy conference in July 2023, this year’s conference explored this idea across a range of processes and stakeholders engaging but not exclusive to HEIs. As such, knowledge diplomacy is both the object and the subject of ongoing investigation, and the contribution made by the ULIP/CODE project is to enable the ongoing  evolution of the network of networks in this space.

Professor Wendy Thomson, Vice Chancellor of the àËÅöÊÓƵ, emphasised the growing importance of distance education, noting that the University serves 40,000+ students worldwide. This example of global reach, which plays to over 150 years of àËÅöÊÓƵ practice, allows universities to extend influence far beyond their physical campuses, creating networks of alumni and partners across societies that transcend borders. 

The conference also underscored the increasing significance of cities in international affairs, with Professor Greg Clark pointing out that by 2080, 82% of the world's population will be urban dwellers. In this context, universities - many of which are deeply embedded in urban cultures and societies - are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between local and global concerns. 

Online and distance education can play a crucial role in addressing some of the challenges highlighted by speakers. For instance, Dr Farah Faizal of the Maldives stressed the need for capacity building and educational resources in small island states grappling with climate change. Distance learning programmes could provide access to crucial knowledge and skills without the need for physical relocation. 

Similarly, Her Excellency Macenje Florence Mazoka, High Commissioner of Zambia suggested that virtual mobility for early career researchers and joint research programmes could help build capacity in African universities. Online platforms could facilitate these collaborations, allowing for knowledge exchange without the logistical and financial barriers of traditional academic exchanges. 

However, the conference also highlighted potential risks to be managed. Professor Steven Marginson warned that the current model of internationalisation in higher education, often driven by the recruitment of international students, may not be sustainable, arguing that this approach provides private rather than public goods, potentially undermining public support for universities. 

As universities navigate these complex issues, online and distance education offer opportunities to reimagine knowledge diplomacy. By leveraging digital technologies, institutions can create more inclusive, accessible, and collaborative forms of international engagement. This approach aligns with the call from several speakers for universities to demonstrate their relevance and contribute to addressing global challenges. 

In conclusion, as the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, online and distance learning emerge not just as educational delivery methods, but as powerful tools for knowledge diplomacy. By bridging geographical divides and fostering global networks, these approaches can help universities fulfil their role as key actors in addressing the world's most pressing issues.