Chapter 1: Introduction

The basic human driving forces for survival and needs attainment are hunger and fear. Hunger for needs such as knowledge, freedom, food, clothing, sleep, and shelter. Hunger for other needs such as reproduction, companionship, spiritual fulfillment, leisure, ownership, the right type of clothing, better life and others. Fear that demands and requires security from the unknown and the known dangers such as forces of nature, disease, aggression, and others.

Throughout the ages his quest to quell his hunger and fear has never ended. Civilization is the result of his restless and relentless strive for knowledge to - sustain existence, preserve security, improve on living conditions, enrich life and attain higher aspirations.

Different civilization eras passed by. Each new era brought better solutions and new innovations for quelling hunger and fear and enriching his life. The industrial revolution era and now the information era brought him new challenges and left the doors wide open for new advancements.

Knowledge prevailed as the basic commodity that brought the human civilization to what it is today. Science and Technology is one of the main mediums that produced the industrial revolution era. This medium utilized knowledge fully and systematically.

Research and Development (R&D) is the backbone of science and technology. General and professional scientific, technical and vocational education and knowledge, Know-how and skills comprised the vehicle through which R&D evolved.

In this information era, information technology became the knowledge provider. Knowledge is disseminated and is made available to its seekers via information technology advances in computer hardware and software facilities, communication and network systems,

When we discuss civilization we must discuss Socio-economical and Technical development and growth. These factors has subdivided the nations of the world into two structures:

· Developed nations that are rich in technical scientific know-how and qualified well trained human resources.

· Developing nations that are poor in technical scientific know-how and qualified well trained human resources, and are rather rich in natural resources.

Cohesive cooperation between these two structures is a must to enhance world well being.

Through international, regional and national programmes and systems, UNESCO, in cooperation with member states, is building cohesive approaches in many different fields between these two structures, with objectives to narrow the gap between developed countries and developing countries.

The International Project on Technical and Vocational Education (UNEVOC) was launched in 1992 with objectives to develop and improve Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) programmes and structures within the educational systems and as preparation for the world of work.

For the Arab States and UNEVOC Centres/Associate Centres in the region, information, databases, and documentation are means to facilitate development and improvement in TVE.

This feasibility study is a joint effort between UNESCO Regional Office for Education in the Arab States and UNEVOC Regional Network to focus on establishment of Databases and Documentation in TVE. The study consists of technical as well as financial information on the subject with emphasis on status of UNEVOC Centres/Associate Centres in the Arab States region.