INTRODUCTION

The ‘Vocational Education in the Asia Pacific Region in the 21st Century’ conference was called to complement the conference being conducted in Melbourne which focused on the major UNESCO report, ‘Education for the 21st Century’. The two meetings were held back to back to enable delegates, particularly those from other parts of the world, to attend both.

The conference was made possible through the financial support provided by UNESCO, the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs and the Australian National Training Authority. Without this support, the conference would not have been possible. These funds enabled people from 40 different countries to travel to Adelaide to participate.

The conference was organised to provide input from highly regarded international speakers, debate by panellists and opportunity for participants to continue the debate and contribute to the development of resolutions and themes for consideration in the Second World Congress in Vocational Education in Seoul, 1999. A conference dinner dance was held to enable participants to mix in a social setting.

The organisers were keen to involve people from as many countries and backgrounds as possible in key roles so that no particular group dominated the proceedings.

The organisers would like to thank particularly, the staff and students from the Adelaide Institute of TAFE who contributed in a very real way to the success of the conference; the Tourism students who provided a very professional conference help desk during the meeting; and the students from the training restaurant ‘SIT’ who very capably catered for the diverse cultural needs of the participants.

The organisers would also like to thank those people from TAFE SA and from RMIT University who acted in key roles by chairing sessions, chairing syndicate group meetings and as panellists to the keynote speakers.

In conclusion, the organisers express their sincere thanks to all participants, some of whom travelled very long distances, for contributing to the conference in a spirit of good will, fellowship and cooperation. They trust that the conference will in some way, help Governments around the world gain an understanding of the importance of a well developed and resourced Technical and Vocational Education and Training System.

John Bartram
Conference Committee