Human Resources Development Working Group (HRDWG)
From APEC HRDWG Wiki
Contents |
Introduction
As part of its effort for sustainable economic development, the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is concerned with human resources, the productive capacity of people to think and do in the workplace. Human resource development activities within the APEC are primarily carried out through the Human Resources Development Working Group (HRDWG). Its programs touch on issues ranging from education to labor and social protection to capacity building. Developments in this working group were highlighted in the APEC newsletter.
With advancing technology and increasing global trade driving dramatic changes in the 21st Century Workforce, human resource development is increasingly important in the APEC region and around the world. Advances in technology diminishes the need for humans to perform routine work skills and increases the opportunity for humans to do complex work skills. Expanding globalization produces growth and competitiveness for skilled workers.
Mission and Objectives
The HRDWG's mission is to share knowledge, experience, and skills to strengthen human resource development and promote sustainable economic growth.
A streamlined and focused set of objectives guide the three HRDWG networks in achieving the HRDWG mission: Develop 21st Century
- Knowledge and Skills for all
- Integrate HRD into the Global Economy
- Address the Social Dimensions of Globalization
HRDWG Networks
Building the 21st Century workforce requires strengthening of education, labor and the capacity of organizations. The Human Resource Development Working Group (HRD WG) conducts its work through three networks. Each network oversees a set of projects that support the achievement of APEC and HRD WG objectives to support human resource development in the Pacific Rim. These networks include:
- Capacity Building Network (CBN)
- Education Network (EDNET)
- Labour and Social Protection Network (LSPN)
The HRD WG Terms of Reference for the HRDWG were established in 2007 under the working group's current Lead Shepherd, Dr. Alan Ginsburg of the United States Department of Education. (The Lead Shepard is responsible for directing the activities of the working group for a 2-year term). The Terms of Reference were crafted to strengthen HRDWG's Maison, objectives, and strategic operations.
HRD WG Strategic Objectives
The 2007 Terms of Reference improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the HRDWG by:
- Proposing a series of projects that build findings cumulatively from project to project to create a significant knowledge base to inform policy and practice addressing HRDWG priorities.
- Employing sound project measurement instruments that collect comparable information across economies.
- Using rigorous evidenced-based methodologies to identify policies and practices identified as promising or effective.
- Coordinating projects across HRDWG Networks, other APEC Working Groups, and other international organizations as in accordance with APEC rules.
- Publicizing HRDWG to expand awareness of projects, activities and results.
- Evaluating projects using appropriate methodologies to assess accomplishments and improve similar future projects.
- Employing interactive Wiki technology to enable online collaboration and sharing of expertise throughout the APEC region.
The 2008 HRDWG work plan describes the activities and plans for the working group based on the 2007 HRDWG meeting in Brisbane, Australia. The work plan update describes the progress on the interim work plan as of February 2008.
Education Network
Education in the Pacific Rim is studied by the Education Network (EDNET) of APEC. In education, the concern is that low-skilled routine and manual work is increasingly carried out through technology in the 21st Century economy and produced low wage jobs.This concern has generated a new focus in pedagogical processes where there is a balance between teaching students the core content knowledge and the ability of students to apply that knowledge to the competencies that support student learning. In other words, these competencies differ from traditional educational outcomes because they value not only mastering a discrete concept or memorizing a particular formula but also on practically applying what is learned across subject matters and in a variety of settings. Under a competency approach, students demonstrate that they are able to use what they learn in different educational subjects or occupational areas to solve meaningful tasks and challenges.
To develop an education agenda for APEC around preparing students for the 21st century workforce, the 2nd APEC Symposium on Education Reform titled, “Education to Achieve 21st Competencies and Skills for All: Respecting the Past to Move Toward the Future,” was held January 15-17, 2008 in Xi'an China. The purposes of the symposium were to prepare the content and an agenda for the 4th APEC Education Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) in Lima Peru in June 2008 with the theme of "21st Century Competencies for All."
Education Education Ministries from the APEC members bordering on the Pacific Rim collaborate on issues of joint concern, including:
- Mathematics Education and Science Education;
- Learning Each Other's Languages;
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) /Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET); and
- Information Communication Technologies (ICT) and Systemic Education Reform.
Labor and Social Protection Network
The Labour and Social Protection Network (LSPN) studies labor practices and social protection policies in the Pacific Rim region to promote greater coordination and closer ties between economies as well as to investigate best practices in this area. There are four broad topics commonly discussed among member economies: employment and skills development, labor-management relations, labor standards and social protection.
The LSPN's objectives and priorities specifically focus on issues and support activities in the following areas:
- Fostering economic development to enhance growth and employment creation and alleviate poverty through effective labour market policies, including such measures as enhancing productivity, labour force participation and skills development; [2]
- Maximizing the opportunities afforded by globalization through the development of improved workplace conditions and practices through the adoption of new technologies, effective labour-management relations, improved workplace health and safety practices and labour market adjustment measures to assist workers affected by globalization; and
- Building capacity to strengthen social protection in APEC member economies through an appropriate combination of active and passive labour market measures, empowering individuals and mitigating dependence through the dissemination and information exchange of effective practices for better social safety net delivery.
The LSPN attempts to find best practices in use among member economies, partially through its project studying Innovations in Human Resource and Economic Development. These innovations include greater use of such trends as technology, resource mapping, 21st Century apprenticeship, and building public-private relationships.
Capacity Building Network
APEC also works through the Capacity Building Network (CBN) to build capacity in government/public, private and not-for-profit sectors to strengthen effective management practices to promote Human Resource Development.
The CBN primarily carries out its objectives by means of:
- The encouragement of effective management practices in the APEC region, particularly in relation to the impact of globalization,
- Improved enterprise and sectoral responsiveness and performance, particularly in terms of the adoption of high-performance oriented managerial practices.
- The encouragement of sustainable systems and methods, in all aspects of economic activities, regardless of sector or size. It includes forward-thinking practices such as recycling-based economy.
- Forward-looking governance practices, including the take-up of appropriate corporate social responsibility,
- Increased organizational efficiency, effectiveness and transparency in delivering services.
Related Information:
The Levin Institute of the State University of New York sponsors Globalization101.org, a resource that introduces the basic concepts of globalization and its impact on many arenas, including trade, culture, and development, all issues pertinent to APEC members.
