Parts related to education and training:

Women and Industrial Science and Technology (IST)

In the new global, knowledge-based economy, competitive advantage requires a highly skilled and diversified workforce that will increase productivity and fuel innovation. Economies need the talent of their entire population, male and female, to create a leading-edge workforce. This will be achieved through policies that place greater emphasis on science and technology education and training for skills upgrading and re-skirling. It further implies the full utilisation of women's talent and competence in these fields. We commend APEC Ministers at their Conference on Regional Science and Technology Cooperation, in 1996, for recognising the "importance of removing barriers and promoting the full contribution of women to science and technology as essential elements in meeting APEC's goal of achieving sustainable and equitable development" as well as the need to strengthen "the exchange of scientific and technical men and women across the region".

As part of APEC's economic goals and activities, we must address the range of factors that discourage female youth and women from pursuing interests in and considering careers in science and technology. We note that in many economies fewer young women than young men obtain formal education, and that of the number who do, an even smaller proportion obtain training in science and technology. Skills gaps, as well as skilled workforce shortages, are already creating major bottlenecks in global and regional economic production and scientific development. Yet, women remain an under-utilised intellectual resource in most parts of the world.

We note in particular, women's important role in local knowledge systems and indigenous science and technology. Whether in agriculture, textile, food processing, and many other technologies, women's deep involvement with traditional knowledge systems has been commonly recognised. We believe APEC must make greater efforts to understand and preserve these knowledge systems, including promoting mutually beneficial exchanges between practitioners of modern and traditional technology, and, to support the continuing development of traditional practices and knowledge of indigenous and rural women.

Given the importance of science and technology for future sustainable economic development, we are concerned that there is severe under-representation of women in science and technology. We are also concerned by the limited information available at domestic and global levels, on the participation rates of women and men in scientific and technological education and careers, and, on the possible differential impact of technological change on the lives of women and men. In this regard, impact studies particularly on information and communication technologies should be conducted. We commend the Industrial Science and Technology Working Group (ISTWG) for establishing an Ad Hoc Group on Gender and Science and Technology for a two-year period from 1997 to 1999, to document and share best gender practices, and to design a gender and science and technology web site for information dissemination. In view of the need to complete its work, which has been postponed due to the financial and economic crisis, it is recommended that extension of the mandate of the Ad Hoc Group be considered to allow it to complete its workplan, mindful of the current management review process. Furthermore, we suggest that special efforts to improve the recruitment and retention of women in science and technology, be included as part of the proposed APEC Agenda for Science and Technology Industry Cooperation in the 21st Century.

Women and Human Resources Development (HRD)

Investments in human resource development enhance economic development and the well-being of our populations. A sound educational base provides a foundation for employment security and lifelong learning. We agree that full participation by female youth and women at all levels of education and training is critical to developing a skilled workforce that can respond to economic change. We conclude that obstacles to women's full access to human resource development strategies that recognise the different realities of women and men must be examined and addressed.

We are pleased to note the increased labour force participation of women. But we are concerned with the trend of increased feminisation of low-wage and low-skill employment, jobs frequently accompanied by unsafe and unhealthy conditions with little opportunity for skill development in most economies. Throughout our economies, we see evidence of barriers that prevent women from advancing in their careers. Earnings differentials, and education and occupational segregation between women and men remain persistent forms of economic inequality. In addition, we recognise the need to better understand how women may benefit from and may be disadvantaged by, globalisation and changes in the organisation of production. We also note that the performance of unwaged work falls disproportionately on women and believe that HRD strategies can ease work-family tensions in order to achieve full participation of women.

As we come together during this time of financial crisis, we stress the importance of recognising investments in women's and female youth's education and training as sound investments in economic growth and the importance of understanding that as young women acquire more education, there is a corresponding improvement in the general welfare of future generations that is closely linked to economic growth. Therefore, these investments should not be subjected to austerity drives such as reduction of budget allocation.

We commend the considerable work of the Human Resources Development Working Group in integrating gender into its work, including through the HRD WG Statement of Medium Term Priorities that emphasises that activities should be undertaken with due consideration of gender implications. The HRD WG agrees to integrate gender-based analysis into the Project Management Guide which could serve as a model for other APEC fora.