01700

23 Mar 2000

SINGAPORE TO HOST APEC EDUCATION MINISTERIAL MEETING
TO DISCUSS EDUCATION TRENDS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

1     Singapore will be hosting the Second APEC Education Ministerial Meeting (2nd AEMM) which will be held from 6 – 7 April 2000. The meeting will be opened by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on 6 Apr 2000. About 150-200 Education Ministers and senior officials of the 21 APEC economies are expected at the meeting. The Education Ministers will discuss the challenges facing education in the 21st century and their vision on how education can help to prepare societies to be “learning societies”.

2     The main theme for the meeting is “Education for Learning Societies in the 21st Century”. The ministers will also hold discussions on four sub-themes:

	The use of information technology in a learning society
	Improvement of teaching systems
	Reforming education management systems
	Enhancing co-operation and exchange of people and expertise

3     The AEMM serves as a forum to discuss common education issues and identify strategies for addressing challenges to education systems, within the broader economic, social and cultural environment of the Asia-Pacific region. The first AEMM was held in Washington D.C. in 1992. In 1997, the APEC leaders decided that Singapore should host the 2nd AEMM. This decision reflects the recognition of the increasing importance of education in the development of economies.

4     As part of the 2nd AEMM, the APEC Education Ministers and senior officials will be attending the opening ceremony of The Learning Metropolis Exhibition and the Education 2000 Conference on 7 Apr 2000.