This article presents an interview with Sir John Daniel outgoing President and CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning. Sir John Daniel's term as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) ended on May 31, 2012. Readers of "Distance Education" will know of Sir John's work at the Tele-universite (Directeur des Etudes, 1973-1977), Athabasca University (Vice-President for Learning Services, 1978-1980), Concordia University (Vice-Rector, Academic, 1980-1984), Laurentian University (President, 1984-1990), the UK Open University (Vice-Chancellor, 1990-2001), and UNESCO (Assistant Director-General for Education, 2001-2004). In the interview, Sir John shares his views on the greatest needs for open and distance learning (ODL) in the developing world and how, and how well, these needs are being met.