Collection of the 2005 China-Africa Education Ministers Forum

Author: Editing Group of the China-Africa Education Minister Forum Collection, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: Approved by the State Council, after nearly a year of preparation, the China-Africa Education Minister Forum was held in Beijing on November 27, 2005. This forum was jointly organized by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Fourteen education ministers and four representatives (three state secretaries, one ministerial representative) from 17 African countries, including Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, the Congo (Brazzaville), Djibouti, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Guinea, attended the forum, along with representatives from African education ministries and officials from embassies in China. UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura attended the forum and delivered a speech. Participants from China included leaders of the Ministry of Education and relevant education management departments, leaders of 19 universities and research institutions, experts, and representatives from institutions implementing African education support projects. Vice Premier Chen Zili attended the forum and delivered a keynote speech; Minister of Education Zhou Ji attended the forum and made a keynote address; Vice Minister of Commerce Wei Jianguo and Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Lü Guozeng attended the forum and delivered speeches; Vice Minister of Education Zhang Xinsheng attended the forum and presided over the meeting. The entire forum took place in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, and the education ministers of the participating African countries highly evaluated the forum. They considered it another high-level dialogue between China and African governments, following the China-Africa Cooperation Forum. At the forum, the Chinese government made a commitment to continue providing support to African countries. This marks a new continuation of friendship between China and African countries. The forum, centered around the theme "Development Strategies and Educational Exchange Cooperation for Developing Countries," was divided into three agendas: "Development and Reform of Education in Developing Countries," "How Educational Policies and Systemic Reforms Serve National Development Strategies," and "National Cooperation and Partnership," with in-depth and lively discussions.