SEOUL, KOREA — The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Government, Gyeongju Municipal Government, Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education, Gyeongju Office of Education, the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI), the Korea Education & Research Information Service (KERIS), and the Institute of APEC Collaborative Education (IACE) gathered to make a firm commitment for the successful hosting of the 5th APEC Education Ministerial Meeting (AEMM), which is scheduled to be held in May in Gyeongju.
Representatives of the eight organizations met at Gyeongju Hyundai Hotel on January 5th and concluded an MOU for the successful hosting of the 5th AEMM.
The Meeting, which is being held four years after the fourth AEMM in Peru, is gaining much attention and expectation from all APEC member countries as Korea, one of the leading countries in the area of education, is hosting the event. Major agenda items include addressing the knowledge gap in the region, development of education and human resources, etc.
This year’s AEMM in particular, will serve as a venue for Korea to demonstrate its educational achievement and share its experience with other APEC affiliated countries.
Korea is a unique country with rich experiences in development as it is transforming from a developing to an advanced country. Therefore, it can serve as a bridge among APEC members to promote exchange and partnership. In this regard, the 5th AEMM will be an excellent opportunity to give a new hope and vision to all members of this organization.
The fifth AEMM event will be held from May 21st to 23rd in Gyeongju under the theme of “Future Challenges and Educational Responses: Fostering Global, Innovative, and Cooperative Education.” Along with preliminary working-level, plenary session, and adoption of joint declaration, various side events are under preparation.
The MOU shows the strong determination of eight organizations to establish a close cooperation system and make utmost efforts for the successful preparation of this event.
Contracting parties will work together in many areas. They will support necessary human resources for the systematic preparation and successful hosting of the event. Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongju city will organize and operate their own taskforce and support tours to local historic sites and use of event venues during the AEMM. Contracting parties will also draw up PR plans for the AEMM, and distribute the meeting results domestically and internationally. They will actively identify areas for mutual cooperation and collaboration.
At the signing ceremony, Minister Lee Ju-Ho thanked the support of municipalities and relevant institutes, saying “the upcoming APEC Education Ministerial Meeting will be a venue of discussing educational innovation and cooperation in response to future changes. Developing and advanced countries alike are showing interest and willingness to participate.” “This event will be a great opportunity for Korea, a country that is heading towards a talent powerhouse, to share its educational achievement with other APEC member economies,” he added.
Governor Kwan-Yong Kim of Gyeongsangbuk-do said, “It is an honor that the largest international event in the area of education ever held in Korea will take place in Gyeongju. Gyeongsangbuk-do will arrange tour programs and cultural performances, and organize a taskforce to work with MEST in a seamless manner in order to make the 5th AEMM a success.”
Superintendent Young-Woo Lee of Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education pledged, “We will do our best to demonstrate Korea’s educational development by showing various programs such as SMART Education program and Departmentalized Classroom system at school visits. During the AEMM, we will also hold the Excellent School Expo (Southern Korea) to introduce diverse school activities and make the event more colorful.”
Other six representatives who signed the MOU also promised that they will spare no support for the AEMM and closely work with MEST.
To promote the event, MEST will participate in the Pre-Ministerial Symposium and Expert Symposium which will be held in Moscow, in February, and in the same month, will have a meeting with ambassadors from APEC member countries.
