Vocational education and training as a tool to address global challenges

^{The European Training Foundation is back at the annual IIAS-Lien conference. This year’s theme is ‘Effective, Accountable and Inclusive Governance’ and the meeting is taking place at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. This major event is organised by the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) and the Lien Foundation.}

^{Opening the conference, Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore explained to the audience of over 550 participants from all over the world that "Good governance has enabled a small island nation without any natural resources, that depended solely on its people, to succeed". "If we can empower individuals to reach their potential and harness their diverse strengths, our societies will become stronger and more united," he said.}

^{Also at the opening on 19 June, Professor Ling San, provost and Vice President of Nanyang Technological University explained the importance of education in Singapore’s success, “Much of this country’s development has been closely connected to the evolution of our education policies and system,” he said.} 

^{The ETF was there as a supporting partner to organise three sessions on governance in vocational education and training, which was on the agenda for the first time. ETF lead expert on governance, Siria Taurelli explained, “Multilevel governance, public-private partnerships, decentralisation, school self-governance are all very relevant to vocational skills development.”}  

^{In order to participate in this one-of-a-kind event, earlier this year, the ETF organised a successful call for papers on governance. The main areas included for submission were focused on multilevel governance and partnerships, public private partnerships, decentralization and vocational school self-governance.}

^{For further information: https://iias-lien-conference2019.org/index-en.php#}