Declaration on human resources development
Declaration on human resources development
JAKARTA (JP): The following is the text of the Declaration - A
Human Resources Development Framework for the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation.
APEC ministers,
Recognizing that in 1993 APEC Economic Leaders in Seattle
envisioned a community in which improved education and training
would provide the skills for maintaining economic growth;
Recalling that the APEC Ministers in Seattle noted that the
people of the region are its most important assets and that the
dynamism of the region is reflected in changing human resources
needs, and urged that continued priority attention be devoted to
developing human resources;
Reaffirming the Declaration of APEC Education Ministers,
adopted at their 1992 Meeting, regarding the critical link
between education and economic development;
Reaffirming the vision and policy issues statements of the
APEC Human Resources Development Working Group and the training-
related parts of those of other Working Groups and the training-
related parts of those of other Working Groups which were adopted
at the Fifth Ministerial Meeting in 1993; and
Reaffirming the principles of the Seoul Declaration:
*Affirm that the issues of human resources development and the
development of economic growth, employment and quality of life
should be addressed in an integrated and coordinated manner;
*Affirm the value of, and need for, concerted development of
human resources by member economies, the region's
business/private sector enterprises, and research, education and
training institutions;
*Affirm the important role of the public sector in giving
guidance to human resources development in both the public and
business/private sectors.
Recognizing that:
- Human resources is a broad concept requiring focused and
sustained effort for its effective implementation;
- The development of human resources cuts across the work
programs of most APEC committees and working groups, and so
requires close collaboration, and
- Differences exist in the economic and social and political
systems of member economies,
URGE members to consolidate and concentrate their efforts in
human resources development and protection to produce tangible
economic benefits in an effort based on focused dialog and the
achievement of consensus.
WE DECLARE:
Objective
The objective of human resources development in APEC is to
promote the wellbeing of all people in the region through
economic growth and development. This is to be achieve by
advancing the design, development, and delivery of practical and
appropriate education and training for current and future
managers, entrepreneurs, and workers in both the public and
private sectors to contribute to economic growth, trade and
development in the Asia Pacific region. In appropriate cases, the
objective is to be achieved through the medium of policy
recommendations for the consideration of APEC Ministers.
Principles
The development of human resources in APEC is to be based on
the following principles:
a. The people of the Asia Pacific are the most important
resource in economic growth and development, one of whose goals
is to enhance the quality of life and well-being of our peoples.
b. The development and protection of human resources
contribute to the attainment of such fundamental values as the
alleviation of poverty, full employment, universal access to
primary, secondary and vocational education, and the full
participation of all groups in the process of economic growth and
development;
c. Human resources development requires cooperative action by
public, and business/private sectors, educational and training
institutions.
d. In designing regional approaches to human resources
development attention must be given to the diversity of
experiences and situations in the region.
Priorities
1. Provision of a quality basic education for all.
2. Analysis of the regional labor market to allow sound
forecasting of trends and needs in human resources development.
3. Increasing the supply and enhancing the quality of
managers, entrepreneurs, and educators/trainers in areas of the
economy central to fostering economic growth and development.
Such ares include training in small and medium sized enterprises,
entrepreneurship and in the management of sustainable growth
incorporating economic and environmental considerations.
4. Reducing skills deficiencies and unemployment by designing
industrial and other training programs for applications at all
stages of a person's working life.
5. Increasing the quality of curricula, teaching methods and
instructional materials relating to the education and training of
managers and other workers.
6. Increasing the opportunities in the region for people who
seek to gain skills required for the economic growth and
development of member economies and the region as a whole.
7. Preparing organizations and individuals to remain
productive in the face of rapid economic and technological
changes in member economies, the Asia-Pacific regional and the
global economy.
WE DECIDE
A work plan for human resources development in APEC
The APEC Human Resources Working Group shall prepare an annual
work plan for human resources development in APEC. The work plan
is to define the priorities for HRD activities in APEC and set
out the mans for their realization in the immediate and longer
terms. In the preparation of this plan, the Working Group shall
be guided by the objective, principles and priorities set out in
this declaration and by the decisions of APEC leaders and
ministers. The working group may take into account the views of
appropriate expertise from within APEC and its observer
organizations.
The preparation of the work plan shall be incorporated in the
HD Working Group's first annual meeting held so that its report
can be presented in a timely manner for consideration by the
first senior officials meeting.