A/67/310 interventions made at various forums, he consistently underlined the relevance of technical and vocational education. 6. In August 2011, the Special Rapporteur participated in the first World Summit of Peoples of African Descent, organized in La Ceiba, Honduras, in the context of General Assembly resolution 64/169 proclaiming 2011 the International Year for People of African Descent. In October, the Special Rapporteur participated in the Social Forum of the Human Rights Council, which was devoted to the right to development. In the same month, he participated in an event to launch the “Global Education Digest 2011, Focus on Secondary Education: The Next Great Challenge”, organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in New York. 7. In February 2012, the Special Rapporteur addressed the inaugural session of the International Conference on “Emerging Concerns in International Law”, organized in New Delhi by the Indian Society of International Law. In March, during the nineteenth session of the Human Rights Council, he participated in a side event entitled “Right to Education through Apprenticeship: A New Challenge?”, organized by Apprentissages sans Frontières. In May, the Special Rapporteur participated in the Third International Congress on Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Shanghai, China, which examined ways of transforming technical and vocational education to be more responsive to contemporary social and economic needs. Also in May, he addressed the opening session of the Fourth International Policy Dialogue Forum: Teacher Challenges for Education for All, in New Delhi. In June, the Special Rapporteur gave the keynote address at the UNESCO International Forum on Post-Conflict Education, “Learning to Live Together”, organized in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. II. Importance of technical and vocational education and training 8. The knowledge, skills and competencies imparted by education are generally understood as primary vehicles for the empowerment of individuals and the promotion of social and economic development. Technical and vocational education and training is frequently recognized as being instrumental in confronting the challenges of unemployment and underemployment, both in developed and developing countries. Ensuring adequate and relevant technical and vocational education and training is central to responding to the diverse aspirations and needs of individuals and societies in a rapidly globalizing world. In this context, increased attention to such education and training is evidenced in all regions of the world, in appreciation of its potential to contribute to individual development and employability, as well as to stimulate economic and social development. 4 __________________ 4 4 The importance of education, training and lifelong learning for social development and employment is recognized by International Labour Organization Recommendation No. 195 concerning Human Resources Development: Education, Training and Lifelong Learning (2004). 12-46486