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1. |
Welcome Addresses |
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His Excellency Professor Dr Fuad Hassan, Minister of
Education and Culture of Indonesia, delivered a welcome address. His Excellency warmly
welcomed the guests and participants of the 23rd SEAMEC Conference. His
Excellency stated that the annual SEAMEC Conference is a standing tradition organized for
the purpose of informing those involved with SEAMEO about the Organization's progress.
This includes the programmes and financial matters of the SEAMEO Centres and Project and
that of the Secretariat. His Excellency added that plans for the immediate future are also
discussed. Thus, the SEAMEC Conference is an occasion for the Council members and other
participants to collectively discuss accomplishments, problems and plans. In the process,
regional cooperation in education and culture in Southeast Asia is also strengthened. |
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His excellency expressed confidence that the Twenty-Third
SEAMEC Conference would achieve its objectives effectively and efficiently and would
result in the affirmation of the participants' strong commitment to educational
development that would be consistent with the educational and cultural needs of the
peoples of Southeast Asia. |
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On this note, his Excellency Professor Dr Fuad Hassan
wished the participants a productive and pleasant stay in Bali. |
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(The full text of his Excellency's address is attached to
this report) |
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On behalf of SEAMEO, his Excellency Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam,
Minister for Education of Singapore and President of SEAMEC, welcomed the delegates and
guests to the 23rd SEAMEC Conference. A warm welcome was also extended to
Canada, whose participation in the Conference this year marked its entry as SEAMEO's
fourth Associate Member Country. His Excellency mentioned that the Government of Canada
has been a generous supporter of SEAMEO and is providing substantial assistance to the
current SEAMEO Pilot Project for Integrated Community-Based Human Resource Development. |
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Moreover, his Excellency expressed appreciation for the
cooperation and understanding of the Member Countries and the unwavering commitment and
support of the Associate Member Countries and other donors. They, his Excellency said, are
the main factors that explain SEAMEO's viability as a regional organization. Mention was
also made of the efforts of the Directors and staff of the various SEAMEO Units. |
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Lastly, his Excellency thanked the Government of Indonesia
for hosting the Conference and expressed confidence that the 23rd SEAMEC
Conference would strengthen SEAMEO's solidarity and provide the opportunity to review the
Organization's direction and to consider means to improve SEAMEO's progress. |
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(The full text of the SEAMEC President's address is
attached to this report) |
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2. |
Proclamation of Canada as an Associate Member of SEAMEO |
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Professor Dr Ida Bagus Oka, SEAMES Director, read the
Proclamation signed by H E Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, admitting Canada as an Associate Member
Country of SEAMEO. The text of the Proclamation is attached to this report. |
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His Excellency Mr Roland Penner, Chairman of the Council
of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) and Minister of Education for Manitoba, delivered
the response on behalf of the Government of Canada. |
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His Excellency conveyed his Government's acceptance of its
formal admission to SEAMEO as an Associate Member. He informed the Council that the
Secretary of State for External Affairs of Canada, H E Mr Joe Clarke, had requested him to
convey to the respective Member Countries through the participants, his appreciation of
the historic occasion of Canada's admittance as SEAMEO's Associate Member Country. H E Mr
Penner joined H E Mr Clarke in expressing confidence that Canada's proclamation is an
important step in enhancing educational, scientific and cultural cooperation between the
people of Canada and the people of Southeast Asia. |
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He thanked his colleagues in SEAMEO for their vote of
confidence in Canada's international outreach in education. |
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(The full text of his Excellency's address is attached to
this report) |
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3. |
Opening Address |
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The keynote address of His Excellency President Soeharto,
President of the Republic of Indonesia, was read by his Excellency Professor Dr Fuad
Hassan, Minister of Education and Culture of Indonesia. |
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The Indonesian President welcomed all the participants to
Indonesia, particularly to Bali and thanked them for the trust and honour bestowed on the
Government of Indonesia in accepting the invitation to hold the 23rd SEAMEC
Conference at Bali, Indonesia. |
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His Excellency noted the vast and rapid changes occurring
in the world today which affect fundamental human activities, including relationships
between societies and nations. These constant changes, the President said, are challenges
that require enhanced capabilities of the human race. The President singled out the
important role of the educational process in human resource development. |
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The President expressed pleasure with SEAMEO's programmes
and activities in the Southeast Asian region and said that they constitute a very
significant contribution to the development of the particular Member Countries and the
entire region. Moreover, the President said that SEAMEO has also contributed to closer
friendship and cooperation among the Member Countries, especially among those involved in
education and culture. The President stressed the importance of individual and collective
efforts in education, directed at the enhancement of the quality of life, in light of the
fact that Southeast Asian countries generally lag behind other developed countries in
education. In this regard, the President recognized the merits of SEAMEO. |
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The President, likewise, called for a closer cooperation
between SEAMEO and ASEAN inasmuch as both have common Member Countries. Their joint
efforts would further enhance their efficiency. |
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The President also took the opportunity to reiterate
Indonesia's pleasure with the admission of Brunei Darussalam to SEAMEO inasmuch as this is
consistent with Indonesia's aspiration for a harmonious and beneficial cooperation with
other Southeast Asian countries. The President also expressed appreciation of the
assistance of the four Associate Member Countries and other friendly governments and
organizations, whose support has enabled SEAMEO to implement and expand its programmes. He
appealed to them to continue the regional cooperation fostered by SEAMEO, unhampered by
differences in ideology and political and social systems. |
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The President expressed the hope that in spite of the busy
schedule of the Conference, the delegates will have the chance to enjoy the beauty and
culture of Bali. |
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Lastly, the President prayed for Divine blessings and
declared the 23rd SEAMEC Conference officially opened. |
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(The full text of His Excellency's address is attached to
this report) |
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H E Professes Dr Fuad Hassan and H E Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam
sounded the ceremonial gong to signal the opening of the Twenty-Third SEAMEC Conference. |
