The Forum Initiative
Meeting of Initiators for an Education Forum for Asia-Beijing
December 6, 2003, Beijing, China
Adopted on December 6, 2003 Having participated in the Meeting of Initiators of the Education Forum for Asia-Beijing, having investigated the present status and future prospects of Asian education, and bearing in mind the critical links between education and Asia’s common long-term economic and social development against the background of regional integration, we are fully convinced that a response is required to: 1. Respond to the fact that rapid economic growth creates demand for an educated and skilled workforce.
Asia’s unprecedented economic growth in recent years has caused a drastic rise in the need for well qualified and properly trained personnel. The acute shortage of quality educational resources is being felt more and more as Asia faces growing regional integration mechanisms and interdependence. This problem is further exacerbated by large populations and the unevenness of educational performance levels. Asian countries are fully aware of the importance as well as the arduousness difficulty of educational development. Moving forward will require a concerted effort across the region. 2. Further invest in the educated population and provide educational opportunities to those in underprivileged communities.
Among the challenges facing Asian countries are inconsistent levels of economic and educational resources, as well as diverse cultures that are pursuing different social development goals. Despite the progress that has been made, insufficient regional cooperation mechanisms have restricted overall educational improvement in the region. Moreover, the emergence of a knowledge-based global economy makes it more difficult for Asian nations to compete internationally. Given these challenges, countries in Asia clearly need to consolidate their educational resources in order to maintain global competitiveness. The best way to accomplish this is to develop an effective intra-regional cooperation mechanism, which will enhance communication and mutual understanding. 3. Improve communication and cooperation through educational mechanisms across the region.
As Asian countries share similar geographic features and cultural heritages, they also share many common problems and concerns. Education, as an important solution to these problems, has acquired more and more attention from both inside and outside the region. Thus, it is both necessary and feasible to set up an education-oriented cooperation and communications platform in the region, by the region, and for the region. Thus, we have undertaken an initiative to establish an Education Forum for Asia-Beijing and to begin detailed planning to achieve the following objectives: 1. Professional Development
To assist education professionals and policymakers, in both the public and private sectors, in exploring and studying issues that are critical for education development and implementation in Asia, and to come up with authoritative and workable solutions through the holding of annual conferences 2. Consultation Processes
In collaboration with existing regional cooperation forums, to provide education policymakers in the region with an informal consultation mechanism. This mechanism will be a venue for exchanging information, experience, and views regarding challenges and problems facing their countries and the region as a whole for the purpose of identifying workable solutions. 3. Educational Exchange
To develop supportive conditions for communication and exchange among students, teachers, and scholars in the region for application and optimal use of available educational resources. Such communication and exchanges may be done in the form of scholarship exchange programs, mutual recognition of academic credentials and credits, award of scholarships, and the creation of a virtual network and clearinghouse for information, consultation services, and the systematic assessment of educational quality. 4. Financial Support
To explore the feasibility of offering financial aid and intellectual support and services to institutions and programs promoting economic development, scientific and technological advancement, and talent cultivation in the region by the means of training, research, fundraising and cooperation. 5. Expansion
To organize various cultural and educational exchange events for constructive expansion of educational cooperation mechanisms and opportunities, and for identification of new ways and means of educational cooperation in Asia. We believe such an Initiative is consistent with the rising expectations shared by all countries in the region and will help strengthen regional education with vigor and vitality by working toward a) a more relevant, more dynamic, and higher quality education b) improved access to basic education by poorer children in some regions of Asia c) further identification and development of lifelong learning opportunities that assist populations to adjust to the rapidly changing work environment. To help ensure this happens, we urge the Forum’s initiators to more clearly map and assess relevant existing resources and institutions in the region; identify gaps; and explore a variety of mechanisms, which might be established in the region to fill these gaps. Specific proposals shall be shared with an advisory committee composed of initiators and Forum organizers and be presented for further discussion at the next Annual Conference in August 2004.
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