economic development
23 October 2007
The Minister of Education Naledi Pandor, Member of Parliament, was selected
as one of the four chairpersons of United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation (Unesco) Ministerial Round Table on education and
development. Her inputs can be found in the audio and video records of the
round table - http://www.education.gov.za.
"In an era of unprecedented change, we recognise that education systems must
respond with innovative and different approaches," the final communiqué further
stated.
During the round table, which brought together the education ministers of 96
Unesco Member states and Angel Gurria, Secretary-General of the Organisation
for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), participants reaffirmed their
commitment to quality education, through curricula that respond to the new
demands of the global market and knowledge economy.
They also underlined the importance of international dialogue "to counter
the negative impact of brain drain" and encouraged public-private partnerships
so that "effective bridges are built between education and the world of work."
And they agreed that education for sustainable development should be integrated
at all levels of learning, both formal and non-formal.
As Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of Unesco said in his opening speech,
"The right to education cannot be fulfilled if poverty prevails." He went on,
"Thus, while education is a means of promoting economic development, the
reverse is also true. An increasing economic base enhances the possibility of
increased tax revenues and thus enables governments to raise their investments
in education. In this way, a virtuous circle of progress may be
established."
Issued by: Department of Education
23 October 2007
Source: Department of Education (http://www.education.gov.za)
