Background of the Jakarta Plan of Action

United Nations ESCAP
HRD Section

Background to the Jakarta Plan of Action

1. Human resources development was the main focus of discussion at three consecutive annual sessions of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), from 1986 to 1988. Those deliberations culminated in the adoption, on 20 April 1988, of resolution 274 (XLIV) on the Jakarta Plan of Action on Human Resources Development in the ESCAP Region.

2. The Jakarta Plan of Action was adopted partly in response to the growing awareness in Asia and the Pacific that development in too many cases had been successful only in narrowly defined terms, and that even that success had often bypassed the majority of the people in the region. It was simultaneously a reaction to the widespread perception that development policy, planning and programming had often had inadequate immediate human relevance and impact. Further, it arose out of the concern over rising human redundancy in many developing countries, owing to the reduced need under conditions of continued economic growth for the full utilization of the available human resources endowment.

3. A basic premise of the Plan was that the further sustainable development of the Asian and Pacific region would be closely dependent upon both the effective use of the region's human resources and their continued enrichment, through education, skills formation, improved health and nutrition, and other means. A reorientation in national development policies was therefore necessary to put a human face on development. The Plan proposed a set of coordinated policy guidelines for Asian and Pacific countries for the development of the full potential of their citizens. It outlined measures to be taken by the region's developing countries in upgrading their human resources to meet emerging economic and social development options and opportunities. It proposed action to facilitate broad-based participation by all the people in the human resources development process, focusing particularly on special provisions to enhance the status of the disadvantaged groups in society.

4. During the six years since its adoption, the Plan has proved to be a useful tool for Asian and Pacific Governments in pursuit of human resources development. The acid test of any such plan lies in its practical implementation by Governments. In that regard, the value of the Plan in stimulating national-level action has been evident. Some of the tangible results have included the following:

(a) Development of national plans of action on human resources development using the Jakarta Plan of Action as a blueprint;

(b) Incorporation of the recommendations contained in the Plan in national socio-economic development plans and policies;

(c) Formation of national inter-ministerial committees and other high-level bodies to coordinate the implementation of the Plan;

(d) Establishment of national focal points for human resources development for the pursuance of a coordinated inter-ministerial and intersectoral approach to national implementation of the Plan;

(e) Implementation of the Plan's proposals for action by government agencies involved in specific aspects of human resources development;

(f) Establishment of national information systems on human resources development;

(g) Mobilization of the private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for participation in human resources development planning, policy-making and programming;

(h) Popularization of the concept of human resources development through public awareness campaigns and mobilization of the mass media;

(i) Translation of the Plan into national languages to promote its wide dissemination to the public;

(j) Preparation of policy studies and organization of national seminars and training courses on human resources development issues covered in the Plan.

5. Regional support for the above national-level action was provided by ESCAP as well as other concerned United Nations agencies, including the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). ESCAP activities in support of the Plan included the establishment and coordination of the ESCAP Network of National Focal Points for Human Resources Development; the organization of intergovernmental meetings, seminars and training workshops for both government and NGO personnel on various issues covered under the Plan; the conduct of research studies on critical human resources development issues; the establishment of the ESCAP Human Resources Development Award; service as a depository of information on human resources development activities in the region; and regionwide dissemination of information on human resources development through such publications as the ESCAP HRD Newsletter.

6. Since the adoption of the Jakarta Plan of Action in 1988, the Asian and Pacific region has experienced far-reaching changes, politically, economically and socially. Longstanding geopolitical and ideological schisms have given way to pragmatic approaches to cooperation. Throughout the region, Governments have initiated political reform, economic liberalization, social revitalization and subregional cooperation. Such changes demand new responses and priorities in human resources development.

7. It was with the above considerations in mind that the Commission, through resolution 48/6 of 23 April 1992 on regional cooperation in the implementation of the Jakarta Plan of Action on Human Resources Development in the ESCAP Region, requested the secretariat to revise the Plan to ensure its continued relevance to changing conditions in the region. In compliance with the Commission's request, the secretariat convened the Expert Group Meeting to Review the Jakarta Plan of Action on Human Resources Development in the ESCAP Region, at Bangkok in January 1994, with a view to revising the Plan for submission to the Commission at its fiftieth session for consideration and adoption.

8. As a result of a careful review, the Plan has been revised, incorporating the findings and recommendations of the Expert Group Meeting, to make it more relevant to the changing conditions and needs of the region and to ensure the suitability of its recommendations for direct implementation. The revised Plan was adopted by the Commission at its fiftieth session by resolution 50/7 entitled "Update of the Jakarta Plan of Action on Human Resources Development in the ESCAP Region".

Overview | Background

The Jakarta Plan of Action:
Part I: Analytical Framework
Part II: Framework for Action
Part III: Arrangements for Implementation