Global competitiveness along with technical and vocational education and training, especially as they relate to the global financial crisis, will be the focus of an international conference of Pacific Rim nations hosted by DePaul University in Chicago June 22 to 25.

Researchers, experts and government representatives from 21 member economies will attend the conference of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) Human Resources Development Working Group (HRDWG), in an effort coordinated by the U.S. Department of Education. Other topics to be addressed at the conference are foreign language learning, math and science education, information communication technology, education reform and social safety nets.

In addition to the United States, participating members are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Viet Nam.

DePaul was chosen to host the conference because of the work of Akihiko Takahashi. An associate professor in the School of Education, Takahashi is the founding director of the Asia-Pacific Mathematics and Science Education Collaborative at DePaul, which works with colleagues and allied organizations of APEC members to improve mathematics and science education through research dissemination, curriculum and program design, and professional education. Takahashi also heads the Chicago Lesson Study Group and is an internationally known expert on the Japanese Lesson Study method of professional development, which uses collaborative teacher planning and evaluation to improve mathematics teaching. DePaul’s Lesson Study activities are supported through HRDWG’s educational projects. 

APEC is the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region and is the only intergovernmental group in the world operating on the basis of nonbinding commitments, open dialogue and equal respect for the views of all participants. APEC has 21 members, which account for approximately 41 percent of the world’s population, approximately 56 percent of the world gross domestic product and about 49 percent of world trade.

The goal of the Human Resources Development Working Group in APEC is to promote the well-being of all people in the region through economic growth and development. HRDWG plays an important role in achieving the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment.

The HRDWG meets to plan work force development policy recommendations on issues ranging from education to labor to capacity-building. Its primary responsibilities include education, training and social protection, such as child labor and social insurance.