2012 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON ESD

The biennial SEAMEO INNOTECH international conference, scheduled to take place again in 2012, will focus on education for sustainable development as suggested by the Governing Board during its annual meeting held in September 2011 in Bali, Indonesia. The GB-approved theme is also suggested to have the following sub-strands: public and private partnerships, ASEAN Vision 2015, and education for marginalized groups. With this development, the Center immediately put to work a committee that will take charge of the planning and implementation of the international conference. Mr. Pierangelo Alejo, head of the Flexible Learning Management Unit, had been given the task to lead in the preparations. On related matters, the Center’s Governing Board likewise suggested that the priority competency focus of training courses under the SEAMEO Education Development Fund (SEDF) be on the integrated elements of three competencies under the validated Competency Framework for Southeast Asian educators. The three elements are on (1) promoting and exercising a culture of peace and respect for cultural diversity, (2) promoting and understanding of the SEA community, and (3) developing school-community partnerships. These three competencies shall be combined to deliver training programs focused on school-based planning, and leading curricular and instructional processes. At the same meeting, the Governing Board also approved the proposed utilization of the Center’s endowment fund to support the remaining activities under LEARNTECH II and the proposed three-year budgetary and personnel requirements. The budget documents will then be forwarded to the SEAMEO Secretariat for endorsement and for consideration at the High Officials Meeting this November 2011.