The United Nations main cultural body UNESCO and the Chinese
government signed a memorandum of understanding in Paris Wednesday
to enhance their partnership in the field of education.
In the memorandum, China expressed its willingness to contribute
to the development of education worldwide, in particular for
developing countries.
The Chinese government agreed to host and arrange short-term
research and study visits to China for international rural
education experts and visiting scholars.
China will also launch an inter-regional cooperation project on
rural education in Sub-Saharan Africa within the framework of
UNESCO's Regional Medium-Term Strategy.
The projects will be organized through the International
Research and Training Center for Rural Education (INRULED).
UNESCO agreed to keep supporting the Chinese efforts in
education for rural development, education in remote and minority
areas, higher education and job-oriented technical and vocational
education.
UNESCO will also promote the Chinese flagship Project on
Environment and Population Education for Development (EDP) within
the framework of UNESCO's program on Education for Sustainable
Development.
China attaches strategic priority to the development of
education and UNESCO projects have made significant progress in
China, said Chinese Minister of Education Zhou Ji, who signed the
memorandum with UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura.
Zhou is leading the Chinese delegation at the ongoing 32nd
general conference of the Untied Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
More than 3,000 representatives from 190 UNESCO members attended
the conference, which, opened Monday in Paris, will run till Oct.
17.
(Xinhua News Agency October 2, 2003)