On September 22, 2011, Sharan Merriam visited Brock University to give a Distinguished Speaker Lecture. Based on her research about the future of adult education within a global context, Merriam's lecture sets the tone for this special issue on the impact of globalization for adult education and higher education. Subsequently, the authors of this…

Korean lifelong learning in practice is gradually adapted by neo-liberals and the discourses of the economic market. Considering that the public foundation of Korean education is fragile to cope with the market challenge, the whole picture of Korean learning ecology is rapidly distorted towards the establishment of the learning market and the…

The main hypothesis here is that the notion of economic and social development has been misconceived by most stakeholders in matters of development. This misconception is the main cause of underdevelopment in Kenya, which leads to all the reasons most authors and commentators have given to explain Kenya's situation. Therefore, it is only possible…

The economic growth of developing countries is closely related to the quality of their systems for educating and training human resources. Effective vocational education and manpower training programs are critical to increasing the rate of economic development and standard of living in the developing world. (Author)

The critical importance of understanding, selecting, and developing global management talent--management operating within internationally diverse interpersonal and situational contexts--has emerged from the increasing globalization of business and the concomitant high rates of immigration, emigration, and expatriation. With an awareness of this…

In 2003, we wrote a critical reply to Frank Coffield's reflections in this journal on the significance of the Performance and Innovation Unit's project on workforce development for the future direction of skills policy in England. As Coffield made clear in a rejoinder, underpinning our arguments are fundamental disagreements about what would be…

Four principles for improving the U.S. work force are (1) commitment to developing the skills of all; (2) understanding of the knowledge and skills required today and tomorrow; (3) guaranteed access to a wide range of education and training opportunities; and (4) belief in the economic importance and inherent dignity of all kinds of work and…

Describes how Docent, Hewlett-Packard, and Saba began country-wide training initiatives that targeted work force development; continuing education, and elementary education. Suggests that the challenges faced multiplied exponentially when dealing with Norway, the Philippines, and the Netherlands. (JOW)

Industrialized nations have learned that vocational education is essential to developing a skilled work force. Newly industrialized countries competing in the global economy are finding that automation, multinational companies, and rapid growth are making investment in human resources through training a critical strategy. (SK)

A General Accounting Office study examined strategies used to prepare youth for employment in the United States and four competitor nations and found that other countries have higher expectations of students, invest heavily in education and training, have national training standards, and have higher literacy rates among young adults. (JOW)

Countries everywhere are turning to education in the quest for competitive edge in the global economy. How to attain the high skills needed in new reformed workplaces is a preoccupation that can be observed across developed countries. In this widening discourse of high skills and competitiveness, the U.S. skills production model is being seen as…

Discusses the need for lifelong learning to maintain a presence in a world economy. Looks at the widening gap between rich and poor and its relation to educational level and suggests that more emphasis must be placed on upgrading the skills of blue collar workers. (JOW)

Decentralization is the main feature of Danish governmental structures and the education and training system. The National Council on Educational and Vocational Guidance coordinates the career development field. Local and regional career development committees are organized under this judicial umbrella. Career education takes place as early as…

The four theme papers prepared for the International Symposium on Career Development and Public Policy served as an organizing framework for discussion. The theme papers were on the following topics: (1) Preparation for the World of Work; (2) the Impact on Career Delivery Services of Information and Communications Technology; (3) Connecting Career…

Presents excerpts from interviews from a variety of professionals from the United States, Canada, Australia, and Denmark examining the role of early childhood professionals in the global economy. Suggests that increasingly, systems and products, expertise, and support will flow freely across national boundaries. Gradually, all early childhood…