Asia-Pacific Regional Forum for Lifelong Learning

A grand celebration will be organized to celebrate the International Literacy Day and the Adult Education Week in the ancient city of Chiangmai in northern Thailand. The city will host participants in literacy and post-literacy programmes, literacy and non-formal education workers, and other actors and promoters of literacy activities from all 76 provinces in the Kingdom.

The celebrations will feature exhibitions, fairs of local handicrafts and performances by the literacy programme participants. The celebration is cohosted by the Ministry of Education and the UNESCO Asia and Pacific Programme for Education for All (APPEAL).

The Deputy Minister of Education will host the event.

Date: 8 – 13 September 2001
Place: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Venue: The Lotus Hotel Pang Suan Kaew

Organizers: This forum is jointly organized by UNESCO APPEAL and the Department of Non-Formal Education, Ministry of Education, Thailand, in partnership with the members of the Sub-Regional Forum (SRF) for East and Southeast Asia, and the Thematic Working Group (TWG) on EFA comprising UN Agencies based in Bangkok.

Participants: Policy makers, planners, curriculum specialists, researchers and practitioners from governments, NGOs, universities, research institutions, community development organizations and international agencies.

Objectives:
- To participate in the celebration of International Literacy Day (ILD), 8 September;
- To promote the exchange of experiences in basic education and lifelong learning among the countries of the region;
- To identify effective community-based approaches to basic education and lifelong learning to reach EFA goals;
- To develop strategies and activities as a follow-up to the Dakar Framework of Action for the promotion and strengthening of community-based basic education and lifelong learning in the Asia-Pacific Region; and,
- To develop strategies for strengthening existing mechanisms for networking at the regional level.

Overall theme: Achieving EFA goals in the Asia-Pacific region

Sub-themes:
1 - Planning and programmes for EFA
- Introduction of the activities and regional network of the Asia-Pacific Programme of Education for ALL (APPEAL), UNESCO
- The Dakar Framework for Action and guidelines for the preparation of national plans of action.

2 - Schooling for all
- Early childhood development and preschool education
- Quality improvement of primary education
- Inclusive schools
- School for life and community

3 - Community-based programmes and approaches for community empowerment;
- Community Learning Centres
- Agriculture for rural development
- Basic education and lifelong learning for gender equality
- Functional literacy for ethnic minorities
- Life skills for health and HIV/AIDs prevention

4- Strategies for improving the quality of non-formal education (NFE)
- Curriculum reform for literacy and continuing education programmes
- Capacity building of NFE personnel
- Scientific research for quality improvement and best practices documentation
- Effective monitoring and evaluation systems

5 - Continuing education for development
- Income generation programmes for poverty alleviation
- Bridging formal, non-formal and informal education for lifelong learning
- Accreditation and equivalency programmes
- Lifelong learning through the credit bank system
- A learning society for the promotion of lifelong learning

f - Effective use of information and communication technology (ICT)
- Asia-Pacific Literacy Database
- Using the Internet for online programmes
- Using media and technologies for EFA
- Using ICT for community development

e - Regional networking
- Sub-Regional Forum and Thematic Working Group (SRF/TWG)
- APPEAL Resource and Training Consortium (ARTC)
- Literacy Resource Centres (LRC)

Exhibition:

The Grand Exhibition is another special feature of the forum. A large hotel ballroom adjacent to the forum will be dedicated to the exhibition.

To celebrate International Literacy Day, the Department of Non-Formal Education will organize the NFE Exhibition Fair. Information related to NFE activities along with vocational training products from 76 provinces in Thailand will be displayed throughout the period of the Forum. Apart from the national exhibition, UN agencies and international organizations will also organize displays in the same area.   

Field visits and sightseeing:

Single-day field visits will be organized for the participants. They will be able to choose from among 10 trips. The programmes for these field visits will be related to the themes of the forum.

Chiang Mai is a city of scenic beauty as well as historical importance. It effortlessly combines the land of mist-surrounded mountains and luxurious valleys with the distinct urban style and cultural heritage of Ancient Lanna. Each field visit will therefore include sightseeing to give participants an opportunity to learn about and enjoy Thai culture as expressed at its unique heritage sites.    

Expected outcomes:

1 - Awareness of the importance of literacy through the celebration of International Literacy Day.

2 - Summary papers on each sub-theme identifying successful approaches to meet EFA goals.

3 - Identification of the crucial areas of basic education and lifelong learning for achieving EFA. This task will also provide concrete inputs for the next Meeting of the Intergovernmental Regional Committee on Education in Asia and the Pacific (EDCOM), and for the development of regional programmes.

4 - Establishment of effective regional exchange mechanisms for EFA.

Day 1 (8 Sep): Morning - Opening session and celebration of ILD (keynote addresses, national activities and exhibition)
Afternoon - Presentation and general discussions on theme 1
Evening - Dinner reception

Day 2 (9 Sep):
Morning - Panel on theme 2, concurrent sessions on theme 2 on theme 3

Day 3 (10 Sep):
Morning - Panel on theme 4, concurrent sessions on theme 4
Afternoon - Panel on theme 5, concurrent sessions on theme 5

Day 4 (11 Sep):
Field visits and sightseeing

Day 5 (12 Sep):
Morning - Panel on theme 6, concurrent sessions on theme
Afternoon - Panel on theme 7 and donor presentation
Evening - Farewell cocktail party

Day 6 (13 Sep):
Morning - Agenda for future and concrete action plans – group work
Afternoon - Group presentations and synthesis
- Closing

Forum Details

Venue

The venue is the Lotus Hotel Pang Suan Kaew, 99/4 Huay Kaew Road, Muang District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Tel: 66 053 224 333 Fax: 66 053 224 493 Email: lotus.htl.psk@chiangmai.a-net.net.th

Forum Accommodation

Accommodation is available at the forum venue, the Lotus Hotel Pang Suan Kaew, at the negotiated rates. A single room is Baht 800 (approximately US$18) and a double room is Baht 1,100 (approximately US$25). The hotel provides excellent facilities, including cable TV, swimming pool, health centre, 24- hour room service and a quiet, relaxed environment. Hotel registration can only be made directly with the Department of Non-Formal Education, Ministry of Education, Bangkok, Thailand. Tel: 662 2822673 Fax: 662 280 16 88 Email: wilaipan@nfe.go.th

Forum Registration

The fee contribution to the forum is US$150, which covers:

·            Participation in all sessions of the forum
·         Forum materials, including the Forum Report
·         Refreshment breaks and lunches
·         Field visits and sightseeing on 11 September 2001
·         Dinner reception
·         Farewell cocktail party

All international payments must be made by International Bank Draft or International Bank Cheque and made payment to the Department of Non-Formal Education. Payments from within Thailand can be made by ordinary cheque but must be payable to the Department. The payment should preferably reach the Department by 25 August 2001.

For more information, please contact

Asia-Pacific Programme of Education for All (APPEAL)
UNESCO Principal Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Darakarn Building
920 Sukhumvit Road
Prakanong
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Tel:   (66-2)  391-0577
Fax:  (66-2)  391-0866
Email:   appeal@unesco-proap.org