International human resource development center proposed
International human resource development center proposed
JAKARTA (JP): Delegates at an international seminar on human
resource development have proposed that a center for
international cooperation be established to better handle complex
human resource problems in the coming century.
State Minister for Research and Technology B.J. Habibie told
reporters yesterday that human resource experts from 38 countries
agreed, at a conference here last week, that development problems
will become more complicated, and that it is imperative to find
an integrated approach to solve them.
"A center for international cooperation and human resource
development should be established as soon as possible, perhaps
before the turn of the century," he said.
The conference was hosted by the Center for Information and
Development Studies (CIDES), a think-tank of the influential
Indonesian Association of Moslem Intellectuals, both chaired by
Habibie.
Several prominent people, including Malaysian Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad, addressed the gathering on three main subjects:
social-political systems and development, socio-economic
infrastructure development and poverty alleviation.
Discussions during the conference itself were marked by
conflicting opinions about regional and international
cooperation, as well as on development.
Dr. Dewi Fortuna Anwar of CIDES said the planned body would
primarily establish and disseminate data and information on human
resource development efforts, and prepare programs beneficial for
clients, such as developing countries.
The center would be basically attached to Non-Aligned Movement
member countries, which Indonesia currently chairs, and manned by
non-governmental organizations supported by government bodies.
In their report, the experts, including former Japanese
ambassador to Indonesia Sumio Edamura, said rapid growth is
inherently destabilizing and results in social and economic
imbalances in the various regions and in the diverse groups in
society.
To ease such conditions, the government's now dominant role
must be reduced in order to create space for the greater public
participation.
Human-centered
The reduction of the government's role is "in line with the
prevailing notion that development should be human-centered and
primarily aimed at achieving human security," the report said.
To increase popular participation "we need to promote more
decentralization in development policy and activities," the
experts said.
Actions which should be taken in the long term include the
creation of "a new international order which recognizes and
respects for and acceptance of the plurality of social and
political systems, and promotes international justice and world
peace," it said.
The experts recommended that the world "reduce global military
spending, and shift it to more productive investment" and that it
"strengthen South-South cooperation and increase North-South
dialog."
The experts proposed that the participating agencies and
organizations conduct studies on poverty and share experiences on
policy issues and their implementation.
The experts identified several priority areas that should be
considered as the main concerns related to poverty alleviation
efforts.
They included low quality and disparities in income at various
levels, cultural background and value systems, scarcity of
natural resources, poor people's low access to financial
resources, and the absence of democratic and participatory
processes in decision making. (swe)