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2003/SOM3/044
Agenda Item: V.3.2
Human Resources Development Working Group Report
Purpose: Information
Submitted by: HRDWG LS
/ Third Senior Officials’ MeetingPhuket, Thailand22-23August 2003
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Human Resources Development Working GroupReport to APEC SOM III
3.2 Social Impact of the Crisis
The issue of workforce retraining was discussed at the 25th HRDWG Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 1st to 4th July 2003.
The Labour and Social Protection Network (LSPN) which forms part of the HRDWG at its meeting in Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the 25th HRDWG Meeting discussed this issue and a general consensus emerged that there is a need to concentrate on workforce retraining in all APEC economies. The meeting also recognized the importance of the social dimension of globalization and acknowledged the need for developing social safety nets to minimize the costs related to structural changes.
To strengthen workforce retraining, the LSPN also discussed the need to develop and disseminate digital English instruction media which would enable the workforce to access and benefit more fully from internet and English-language printed materials. APEC could begin to narrow the differences between basic education and workforce retraining to enable overall upgrading of skills.
In this regard, the HRDWG will work closely with the Social Safety Net Capacity Building Network (SSN CBN) to further develop the issue of workforce retraining.
SOM Chair, permit me to highlight the main outcomes of the 25th HRDWG Meeting.
Inspite of the SARS outbreak and the postponement of the 25th HRDWG, 120 participants from 18 economies attended the meeting. Cambodia was accorded guest status and the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) representative attended the meeting as an observer.
The meeting endorsed the Annual Work Plan and Taskings for 2003 and approved nine new projects, six for funding from the APEC Central Account and three self-funding. All projects will reflect the short list of ECOTECH and TILF priorities.
The HRDWG has emphasized and will continue to give priority to Youth Development Programme. In relation to this, the HRDWG endorsed a community e-learning project in May 2002 through the Sister Schools Network which culminated in the successful hosting of the APEC International Youth Camp held from July 7-17, 2003 in Thailand on the topic of “Costal Ecosystem for Sustainable Development”.
To provide better management and dissemination of information on approved projects and to conform to the requirement of the Guidebook on APEC Projects, the HRDWG established a Small Group on Evaluation of Projects with members from Thailand, Canada, Mexico and the Philippines.
The APEC Thematic Dialogue on the issues of Patenting Biotechnology Inventions and Commercialization of Biotechnology was held in conjunction with the 25th HRDWG Meeting in the National Institute of Public Administration, Malaysia (INTAN).
The HRDWG discussed the preparations for the 3rd APEC Education Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) which is scheduled to be held from 15-16 April 2004 in Valdivia, Chile. The proposed main theme of the AEMM is the “Joy of Learning”.
The Republic of Korea agreed to host the 26th HRD WG meeting. The meeting will be held between April and May 2004.
The 5th HRD Ministerial Meeting has no takers yet and economies are urged to volunteer to host the meeting.
Lead Shepherd Office
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 21th August 2003
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