APEC Education Resource Distributed to 3,000 Secondary Schools

In Australia's year as host of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, I am pleased to launch a new education resource for Australian secondary school students entitled "APEC: Strengthening our Community, Building a Sustainable Future."

The resource is presently being distributed to 3,000 secondary schools in Australia to enable students to deepen their knowledge of Australia's links with the Asia-Pacific region and the APEC forum.

It is important that young Australians learn more about the Asia-Pacific region and how APEC, the pre-eminent body for economic cooperation in the region, contributes to Australia's economic prosperity through its integration with the region. Australia has benefited from dynamic regional economic growth, with APEC's 21 member economies accounting for 69 per cent of our total trade worth $250 billion a year.

There is no doubt that Australia's future lies in deepening our understanding of the region, and creating even stronger links with the people of our region.

It is fitting that this launch is taking place during National Youth Week, the largest celebration of young people in Australia.

APEC: Strengthening our Community, Building a Sustainable Future introduces young Australians to APEC in an easily accessible form and in a way that fits into their existing studies of regional and global issues. It has been researched and written by leading curriculum specialist Mr Robert Baker of Curriculum Corporation.

The Asia Education Foundation is running a Professional Development program for teacher-trainers and teachers. State and Territory education authorities and specialist teaching associations were consulted in the preparation of the resource.

As host this year, Australia is staging more than 30 major APEC meetings spanning more than 100 days and involving over 15,000 delegates. These events are being held in every capital city and several major regional centres and they will engage Australia ever closer with our region. The year will culminate in the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Sydney on 8-9 September.

Media Inquiries: Mr Downer's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555