• To explore the relationship between distance learning strategies and opportunities for inclusion in tomorrow’s knowledge society
• To exchange and integrate existing conceptual frameworks for ODL case studies throughout Europe and lessons learned for the future
• To analyse market demands, needs, quality and resources for distance learning methods

• Month 29: LT and LV will liaise with relevant partners over publicity and plans for steering group meeting, seminar, presentations, analytical strategies and follow up website discussion
• Month 30: LT hosts steering group meeting and one day seminar. Partners produce case studies from PHARE programmes and comparative discussion papers on distance learning and widening participation.
• Month 31: UK-SRHE produces time limited website discussion to explore further the social, economic, quality and technological issues relating to distance learning and widening participation in the context of European enlargement.
• Month 33: partners produce conference papers evaluating management of change strategies for ODL study programmes across the HERN partners.
• Month 36: partners produce policy briefing chapter on ‘HE through open and distance learning’.

• Seminar papers: "Case studies from PHARE programmes" "Distance learning and inclusion for tomorrow’s knowledge society"
• Report of website discussion to EC and associated networks
• Conference paper: Evaluating management of change strategies for ODL study programmes across Central and Eastern Europe
• Chapter for brief guide to policy: ‘HE reform, teaching and learning, change and quality: student diversity, distance learning and guidance

The workpackage will provide:

• policy makers, practitioners and academics with comparative, analytical findings about practical and theoretical considerations pertaining to open and distance learning in different social, economic and political contexts, with reference to management of change and widening participation.