Foreword

Education is regarded as a key instrument for rural transformation. Ten years have been passed since the international community adopted the EFA Goals. Developing countries have been struggling to address challenges such as access with equity, quality and relevance, efficiency and accountability. The goal of INRULED is to work within the framework of UNESCO EFA (Education for All) goals, to achieve sustainable socio-economic development in rural areas through education by bringing about positive changes in the thinking and behavior of rural people. To achieve this goal, INRULED not only focus on rural education itself but also concentrate on how rural education can make positive contribution to rural development.

For INRULED, the year 2010 has been recognized as the beginning for further development of the institutional capacity, research projects, collaborative activities and networking under its Medium Term Strategic Plan (2008-2013).

In order to promote "Education for rural development and transformation", INRULED held the national seminar in Beijing (with BNU) and international symposium (with HE) in Stockholm respectively. It published up-to-date experiences and lessons worldwide by examining the concept, policy and practices of education for rural transformation.

The quality of education is increasingly seen as the pervasive issue worldwide. In order to share the findings, develop a common understanding of the framework on quality of general education, INRULED, jointly working with Chinese NATCOM, has organized a series of international seminars on the framework of quality of general education and the adult literacy assessment. Then a series of case studies of the international experiences and good practices on development of the framework of quality of general education were proposed and developed.

The Dujiangyan International Forum organized by IN RULED in Chengdu, which is an initiative to response to disaster risk reduction in the framework of ''Education for Sustainable Developmenf , gives the opportunity for domestic and international researchers and practitioners to learn the knowledge, skills and attitudes related to natural disaster preparedness and post-disaster reconstruction from each other and to share China's experiences and case in community and school reconstruction after the disaster.

Skill development and vocational education/training for youth is an important goal among the six of EFA goals. INRULED has devoted its great effort in development of the joint research project with member states of UNESCO to the Policy Responses and Innovative Practices in the economical transition countries.

Furthermore, the institutional capacity has been strengthened by the second Board Meeting in 2010, which provided the direction for further development and evolution of the Institute. This report presents different projects conducted by INRULED to create and enhance its network for academic and technical exchange, promote information services and support UNESCO initiatives in 2010. The institute has mobilized multiple resources and deployed modes of actions to achieve its objectives.

It is encouraging to see that the actions and influences of INRULED are more and more visualized. I would cordially thank our partner organizations and all participants who were and are involved in contributing to accomplish our mission and objectives. Look forward to further co-operating with all of you to better serve UNESCO member states, and strive for the enhancement of rural education and rural development in developing countries.

Mr. Dong Qi

Director of  INRULED