Global HR Forum 2008 November 4, 2008

Due to global sourcing and cross-border workforce mobility, the development of globally competitive human resources has now become a necessity, not a matter of choice, for all. Global competence is the key issue for all international organizations, governments, enterprises and individuals, because today, literally everyone is competing and cooperating on a global basis, not just a few talented people. Indeed, qualified human resources serve as the major building block for the betterment of individuals, corporations and societies, and ultimately shared global prosperity. This recognition is calling for a common worldwide effort to develop and utilize competent human resources, not to mention stronger collaboration between governments, enterprises and educational institutions.
It was upon this understanding of the necessity of an international HRD approach that the Government of Korea inaugurated the Global Human Resources Forum in 2006, in collaboration with the private sector. The 1stt Global HR Forum, held in November 2006, brought together over 2,500 global leaders from the public and private sector including international organizations and presidents of leading universities around the world, to share innovative approaches and search for better HRD solutions. Key contributors included Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft, Paul Wolfowitz, Chairman of the World Bank, high-ranking officials from the OECD and UNESCO, Bertel Haarder, Minister of the Danish Education Ministry, and Robert Barro, Professor at Harvard University.

The 2nd Global HR Forum opened in November 2007 with video messages from Bill Clinton, former President of the U.S., Oscar Arias Sanchez, President of Costa Rica and Ban, Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General. Special addresses were delivered by over 150 prominent global leaders from 35 countries including Richard Holbrooke, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Jerome Glenn, executive director of the WFUNA, Francis Fukuyama, Professor of Johns Hopkins University, Ben Verwaayen, President of BT, and CEO/CHOs from Goldman Sachs, BMW, Boeing, Walt Disney and Changi International Airport. The 2007 saw increased participation of high-level government officials including the Minister of the Sudanese Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry, Minister of the Iraqi Higher-Education Ministry, and Deputy Minister of the Bulgarian Education and Science Ministry. Also contributing to discussions was the Director of the OECD Directorate of Education, Head of the Higher Education Team at the World Bank, and Secretary General of ALECSO. With the attendance of more than 4,000 participants, the Forum firmly established itself as a ‘venue for meeting and communication,’ where knowledge and insights on global HRD cooperation are shared effectively and extensively.

Continuing the success of past gatherings, the Government of Korea plans to hold the 3rd Global HR Forum in Seoul from Tuesday November 4 to Thursday November 6 2008, under the theme of ‘Creative Talents for Global Collaboration’. A diversity of specific topics will be discussed including higher education innovation for the nurturing of creative talents, corporate evolution and human resources management, public sector roles in HRD, and international cooperative efforts for talent development. In-depth sessions will also be prepared for global experts to seek ways for the efficient accumulation and distribution of creative experiences. The Government of Korea again looks forward to an exciting and highly productive three-day discussion, where global wisdom will be shared on ‘what we must do for the development and utilization of creative global talents,’ ‘how we may effectively implement those tasks’ and ‘how we must promote global cooperation towards the goal of shared prosperity’.

Official Website: http://www.ghrforum.org