Caring for the Next Generation: Thailand's Perspective on Advancing Human Capital Development

          Thailand, the Chairman of ASEAN in 2019, always focuses on people as the core of development in all dimensions. To raise greater awareness and understanding on the importance of human capital development amidst the challenges of inequality, competitiveness, digital transformation and disruptive technologies, the ASEAN Secretariat and the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council of Thailand (NESDB) will cooperate with the World Bank and UNICEF in organizing the ASEAN High-Level Meeting on Human Capital Development in Bangkok on September 9, 2019. This is yet another example of how Thailand's ASEAN Chairmanship theme can be seen as transforming into action.
          This policy of advancing human capital development is also in line with its chairmanship theme of "Advancing Partnership for Sustainability" highlights human capital development as one of its priorities to contribute to the "sustainability of things."
          For Thailand, the concept of human development was first mentioned in the 2nd National Economic and Social Development Plan 1967-1971. At that time, Thailand focused on import substitution before transitioning towards an export-oriented economy in the ensuing decades. The aim then was to develop skilled labour as well as ensure sufficient employment opportunities for the population. Five decades later, the context has changed.
          Against this backdrop, Thailand and governments around the world must ensure that the education system produces responsible and responsive members of society who are adept in detecting the next waves of change, and furthermore, possess the ability to harness such disruption. Many dream jobs of our generation will easily be replaced by Artificial Intelligence (AI) soon, and our children might have to pursue career options that are unimaginable to us today. But the best thing governments can offer is to groom them into lifelong learners who are ready to adapt, identify and adopt every unconventional opportunity and possibility that may arise along the way in life.
          Building upon the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the UNSDGs, the forthcoming one day meeting will focus on raising greater awareness and understanding on the importance of human capital development amidst the challenges of inequality, competitiveness, digital transformation and disruptive technologies. It will also highlight the importance of multi-sectoral approaches to accelerate human capital development by drawing expertise with international organisations as well as the civil society and strengthening public and private collaboration across the region.
          With the attendance and constructive contributions from high profile policy makers and experts from ASEAN Member States, the World Bank and UNICEF, the meeting will produce fruitful outcomes that could lead to interesting proposals on how people should prepare their next generation to cope with global uncertainties. As it is increasingly daunting to manage thefuture, it is even more imperative that this generation must remain strong yet flexible in adapting to fluctuating circumstances. In the next few weeks, there will be a glimpse of how ASEAN and the international community will work together to make sure that children are healthy, having the right set of skills and mindset, and the chance to make their future as bright as they choose to be and reach their optimum potential.

          Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand 
          Website: https://www.asean2019.go.th/en/

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