Education ministers conclude SEAMEO-ASEAN back-to-back meetings and agree to forge stronger regional cooperation; SPAFA leads discussion on Southeast Asian Identity
The Southeast Asian education ministers concluded their two annual conferences -- the 42nd SEAMEO Council Conference (SEAMEC) and the 2nd ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting (ASED) last month with new initiatives for a stronger regional cooperation on education. The ministers shared experiences in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education, with Indonesia leading the discussions on ICT initiatives and an overview of the current state of education of Indonesia. SPAFA led the discussion on Promoting Southeast Asian Identity.
ICT development and integration in the curriculum formed a major part of the ministers’ discussions. They also explored possibilities of coming together more frequently to forge joint initiatives on ICT in education issues.
Also high in the ministers’ discussions were quality assurance in higher education, rural development and poverty reduction through higher education, and promoting a Southeast Asian identity. The latter topic was presented by SPAFA. To read the full paper, click here…
The 42nd SEAMEC was held from 13-15 March at the Westin Hotel Nusa Dua, with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono opening the conference with a keynote speech noting SEAMEO’s key role in supporting closer regional integration. The ministers proceeded to the Royal Pita Maha in Ubud on 16 March for the 2nd ASED, a conference jointly organized by the SEAMEO and ASEAN.
The SEAMEO Council consists of the ministers representing the SEAMEO member states Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
This year, Spain was accepted as the eighth SEAMEO associate member country, joining Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Norway, and an affiliate member, the International Council for Open and Distance Learning.
