International Conference: Urgent Issues of Regional Education Development

International Conference

October 19–20, 2007

Khanty-Mansiysk, Russian Federation

Urgent Issues of Regional Education Development

In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) on October 17, 2006, the World Bank provides assistance to the Okrug in evaluating the status of the education system and increasing its importance in the socioeconomic development of the region.

International Conference on Urgent Issues of Regional Education Development was held in Khanty-Mansiysk on October 19–20, 2007. The Conference has become part of a central education sector event of the year in Yugra – the International Teacher Forum “New School” that took place during October 18-26, 2007.    

The Conference was attended by: A.V. Filipenko, Governor, Chairman of the Government of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra; A.N. Mayorov, Deputy Chairman of the Government of   Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra; V.A. Bolotov, Head, Federal Service for Supervision in Education and Science; representatives of the World Bank, European Training Foundation, National Training Foundation, Uchitelskaya Gazeta Publishing House; international experts from UK, Finland, Germany; heads of executive authorities of the Autonomous Okrug; Ministers of Education of the regions of the Russian Federation; as well as heads of municipalities of the Autonomous Okrug, rectors and representatives of higher educational institutions, heads of education departments from municipalities of the Autonomous Okrug, educational community, mass media.  The total number of participants equaled over 220 people.

The following topical issues were discussed during the Conference:

·        Fundamental objectives of regional education development in the Federation in modern times

·        Challenges of education quality evaluation and management

·        New mechanisms of education financing with due regard for specific features of different education levels

·        Public/community education governance and community involvement in education management

·        Introduction of specialist education and restructuring educational institution networks

·        Vocational education development at the regional level in the context of accelerated innovation processes in the economy

·        Challenges of ethnocultural education under changing patterns of the educational standard

Participants of the International Conference noted that the development of intraregional, interregional and international relations, continuous exchange of experience, studying education practices from other regions and countries in the context of education modernization are the preconditions for improved efficiency of ongoing reforms.

The Conference made a strong contribution to the World Bank Regional Program, enabled to establish new connections with the region, and provided basis for continuing joint activities of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra and World Bank.