The first Education Forum for Asia-Beijing will be held in Beijing, the nation's capital, from Aug. 22 to 26, 2004. The decision was made at a meeting of the forum's initiators held on Friday and Saturday.

At the meeting, participants including Fidel Ramos, former president of the Philippines, and Jenny Shipley, former prime minister of New Zealand, outlined and passed an initiative, appealing for the whole Asia to consolidate educational resources to face talent challenges brought by the global competition.

Ramos, also chairman of the board of directors of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), said Asia lacks an institution holding deep understanding of both Asian and global education insights with a focus on Asian education reform and development.

He said the forum will assist communication and connection in Asia, promote the consolidation of educational resources and reduction of educational imbalance in the region, helping countries absorb the leading educational achievements and successful experiences from around the world.

The initiative claimed Asia should bear in mind the critical links between education and the long-term economic and social development against the regional integration.

It said Asia has realized that the rapid economic growth demands an educated and skilled work force, strengthened re-education, opportunities for those who are less educated, and improved communication and cooperation through education mechanism within the region.

BFA Secretary-General Long Yongtu said the participants also discussed proposals on a Boao Consultation Mechanism on Education Cooperation for Asia, Asia Business School, Asian Development Research Center, Asian Scholarship Fund, and Asian Fund for Training and Research Development.

The initiators' meeting was co-sponsored by Boao Forum for Asia, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), China Scholarship Council, and organized by the municipal government of Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2003)