This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Singing the praises of 15CCEM
28/10/2003
First Minister Jack McConnell met the
African Children's Choir ahead of their performance at the
opening ceremony of the 15
th Conference of Commonwealth Education
Ministers (15CCEM) which is being held in Edinburgh this
week.
The children, aged between six and 11
years of age, are from Uganda and Rwanda - two of the 48
commonwealth countries represented at the event.
Addressing the conference the First
Minister said:
"Scotland has always enjoyed a
disproportionately strong international profile for a
country of its size. I am proud that people around the
world, and particularly in the countries of the
Commonwealth, recognise Scotland.
"It is fitting that the Commonwealth
should meet in Scotland to discuss education, because
Scotland's past and Scotland's present are both in large
measure a story of education, and of internationalism.
"Educational development is one of the
most vital issues facing the Commonwealth - so I am very
pleased to see that this conference will end with a
commitment from Ministers across the Commonwealth to future
action; to an Action Plan for work in six vital areas
across the educational field; to work that will make a
difference to the lives of all the children and young
people in the Commonwealth.
"We recognise the power of education
to liberate individuals and communities to be the driving
force behind economic growth that does not damage the
environment or widen the gap between rich and poor."
The 15CCEM is comprised of four
elements:
For more information visit the
official website.