Strategies for Commonwealth Education in the Global Era
23 November 2000
The 14th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) will take place in Canada from 26 to 30 November 2000. At their meeting in Halifax, under the theme 'Education in a Global Era: Challenges to Equity, Opportunities for Diversity', the Education Ministers are expected to formulate a common vision and approach to education in member countries, taking into account current advances and developments on the world scene.This vision is expected to be articulated as a set of guiding principles for education with an accompanying action programme to give practical meaning to these principles.
The meeting also marks 40 years since the first CCEM held in 1959 in Oxford, UK, and thus provides an opportunity for stock-taking and planning for the future needs of education in member countries.
The theme sums up the concerns and challenges that need to be addressed at the beginning of the 21st century. It raises pivotal issues in providing quality learning opportunities to all citizens of Commonwealth countries. At stake is how Commonwealth co-operation in education can help countries to make such opportunities available on a fair and equitable basis, and in ways that address the widely different needs and circumstances of individuals and communities. The theme also highlights Commonwealth contributions to the goal of Education for All to which member countries are committed.
The Ministers will discuss the impact of globalisation on the development prospects of individuals and communities in their countries. They will consider the new forces that are shaping the methods and content of education and training in a competitive world. The conference will also explore how the diverse and rapidly changing needs in education can be met with existing resources, how best to make use of modern technologies, and how to respond to the educational challenges posed by social conflicts, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, deepening poverty, the digital divide and other disturbing features of the new millennium.
Thematic areas which will be discussed reflect key issues and concerns shared across the Commonwealth, such as: (i) access, equity and mobility; (ii) quality and sustainability; and (iii) capacity-building and utilisation.
This will be the biggest of the triennial education ministers meetings, with more than 300 delegates from over 40 countries, including UK Overseas Territories. The keynote speaker for the conference will be Uganda's First Lady, Mrs Janet Museveni, an educationist. She will address a joint audience of ministers as well as participants of the parallel symposium and trade fair which will complement the ministerial conference. Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon will also address the meeting which will be opened by the Speaker of the Canadian Senate, the Hon Gildas Molgat.
The 14th CCEM is the first Commonwealth ministerial meeting that will be open to the media.
Media Contact:
Ms Ajoa Yeboah-Afari
Prince George Hotel
Halifax, Canada
Tel + 1 902 425 1986
Fax + 1 902 429 6048
00/101 23 November 2000
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