Mr. Kim discussed a number of activities that the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education supports in order to expand quality education in the region.At the implementation level, these activities include the production of teaching resources, training, and integration of ICT into schools.

A major challenge for educational development in the Asia-Pacific region is the limited availability of core resources to match the large number of objectives required to strengthen education provision, said UNESCO Bangkok Director Gwang-jo Kim. In his keynote address on the final day of the Asia Education Leaders Forum, Kim noted that Asia-Pacific countries face a growing strain on their education systems due to the global financial crisis. He urged governments in the region to maintain their commitments to improving their education systems, in line with their national Millennium Development Goal action plans for education.

Recognizing that the diversity of Asia-Pacific countries means equally diverse challenges, Mr. Kim emphasized the need for all countries to achieve universal literacy and sound lifelong learning systems. For countries to successfully meet the challenges of the 21st century, it is imperative that education systems begin with early childhood and continue throughout life, he said.

Mr. Kim discussed a number of activities that the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education supports in order to expand quality education in the region. At the governmental level, these include support to education policy analysis, planning, management, monitoring and evaluation. At the implementation level, these include the production of teaching resources, training, and integration of ICT into schools. 

Mr. Kim also underscored the need for Asian education leaders to give special attention to equity in and access to education as it relates to girls and women, minority groups,  and the disadvantaged - including those who may face either economic or physical challenges.

Finally, Asian leaders were urged to enhance their cooperation through technical assistance, sharing of best practices, and expansion of their delivery mechanisms.

The 2009 Asia Education Leaders Forum, “Embracing Education in the 21st Century with Innovation and Know-How,” is being held in conjunction with the World Association of Publishers, Manufacturers, and Distributors of Education Material (Worlddidac) from 28-30 October at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

Source: UNESCO Bangkok