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President Jiang Meets Foreign Education Ministers
Chinese President Jiang Zemin met Wednesday afternoon with major participants of the ongoing 4th Ministerial Review Meeting on EFA (Education for All) of the Nine High-Population Countries (E-9).
Jiang extended welcome to the guests. The meeting, which is sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), was attended by education officials and experts from Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan and China.
Jiang noted during the meeting that all nine participant countries are developing countries facing many common problems, and it is of positive significance for them to discuss EFA and learn from each other.
Pointing to the long histories and brilliant cultures of these countries and their contributions to human progress in the past, Jiang pointed out that their low scientific and educational levels and the high populations constitute factors that hinder their development.
He stressed that developing countries should mainly rely on themselves to strive for development though international support is also important.
The accelerated economic globalization and scientific and technological progress have provided developing countries with both opportunities and challenges, Jiang said, adding that it is a common task for them to turn their population burden into valuable human resources.
Jiang voiced his support for the UNESCO's efforts to promote world peace through the development of education, science and culture and spoke highly of the UNESCO's international influence.
He listed the UNESCO's activities of insight like the EFA program, protection of world natural and cultural heritage, dialogues between different civilizations, and scientific and technological ethics.
He hoped that the UNESCO continue to make efforts for the south- south and south-north cooperation, and China will further promote sound and steady cooperation with the UNESCO.
Koichiro Matsuura, director-general of the UNESCO, spoke highly of China's achievements in the development of education and eradication of illiteracy.
He also briefed Jiang on the meeting and the UNESCO's work.
The participants of the meeting made brief introduction to the situation of education in their respective countries and application of new information and communication technologies in the EFA program.
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