Meeting of Initiators for
Boao Education Forum for Asia
INVITATION

September 17, 2003

Dear Gerard BINDER,

It is widely believed that education plays a powerful role in alleviating poverty and invigorating the global economy. However, education in Asia, the most populous continent but with an unbalanced socio-economic development still needs intensive attention and efforts both from governments and communities. According to UNESCO’s EFA (Education for All) Global Monitoring Report 2002, despite some progress made against EFA goals, the challenge faced by Asian countries will be overwhelming without an intensified effort. Moreover, in this accelerating age of knowledge and information, and with the speedy economic development in this region, there remains a huge demand for high-level technical and vocational education, more focused higher education and more business-oriented lifelong learning.

The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), from its very beginning, has attached great importance to capacity building in education, training and research.

“The Declaration of the Boao Forum for Asia” adopted on February 26, 2001, stresses that one of the missions of BFA is to “provide intellectual leadership for developing human resources and further research on issues of importance, both internal to the region and in its relationships with the rest of the world.” The Constitution adopted on December 25, 2002, further stipulates in Article 6 that BFA will “establish and maintain a globally influential research and training center with the capability to provide business communities with advanced management and technical skills.” It is also agreed that “appropriate mechanisms be established to fulfill the idea and objectives of BFA.”

In accordance with the spirit of the above, BFA and UNESCO in cooperation with the China Scholarship Council, will co-organize a Meeting of Initiators on December 5-6, 2003, in Beijing for the establishment of “appropriate mechanisms” of BFA in the development of human resources and research programs. We plan to invite ten Initiators, including former government leaders and eminent persons in education and business circles. And additional 50 delegates from education, business and academic fields are also being invited to the Meeting of Initiators.

The purpose of the meeting is to deliberate on the issue of initiating a cooperation platform on education, training and research, including its organizational structure, functions, operating mechanism, and topics for the first annual conference. The meeting will also discuss the establishment of cooperative funds and training funds for Asia, and other relevant issues.

Given your outstanding status and keen influence in the field of education, we are honored to invite you to serve as a distinguished guest to attend the meeting, and we believe that you will make a valuable contribution to our goal. The organizational committee will cover your flight and accommodations during the meeting. Please refer to the Registration Form for details.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could kindly confirm your attendance by submitting the registration form by October 15, 2003.

Sincerely,

Y. T. Long                                                           Yasuyuki Aoshima
Secretary-General                                                   Director and Representative
Boao Forum for Asia                                                UNESCO Beijing Office