The 47th session of the International Conference on Education began Wednesday with the theme "Quality Education for All Young People: Challenges, Trends and Priorities."

The session, organized by the International Bureau of Education (IBE) of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), will run through Saturday.

An IBE statement said the session is being held at a particularly favorable time since the UN General Assembly has proclaimed the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development from Jan. 1, 2005 and designated UNESCO as the lead agency in charge of its promotion.

Ministers of education from 86 countries are participating in the session, which includes two plenary debates and four panel discussions on relationship between quality education and gender equality, social inclusion, competencies for life and the key role of teachers.

Wednesday is also the International Literacy Day. A ceremony will be held here during the session to commemorate the special day.

A ceremony to reward outstanding persons and institutions in the fields of educational research and innovations will also take place during the session.

The Geneva-based IBE has been organizing the International Conference on Education since 1934, providing a worldwide forum for dialogue among ministers of education.

Editor: Catherine