Education has Become the No. 1 Economic Priority

From the Honolulu Advertiser (February 8, 2005)

The Japan-America Institute of Management Science (JAIMS) was recently privileged to host a public forum and executive roundtable with John Naisbitt, the world-renowned author of "Megatrends."

Naisbitt had a lot to say to the executive roundtable, held Jan. 20-21, comprised of 40 eminent senior management executives from Hawai'i, the U.S. Mainland, Japan, South Korea and Australia, all of whom were eager to learn about the "megatrends" that will shape the future of business in Hawai'i and throughout the world. The same could also be said about the more than 200 Hawai'i business and community leaders who attended the public forum on Jan. 19.

Naisbitt presented thought-provoking ideas that challenged participants to define their own mindsets and domains along the twin paths of decentralization and globalization that the world is taking.

Considering his focus on the global economy, it was profoundly exciting to realize that throughout both events, Naisbitt repeatedly returned to one theme: that education is now the No. 1 economic priority in today's global context. Citing examples of countries that have thrived after focusing its resources on education, such as South Korea, Finland and, most recently, China, Naisbitt emphasized that education is the single best way for countries to improve their position in the global economy.

From parents to teachers to government officials, no one would argue the need to develop a world-class education system here. Certainly the desire exists in Hawai'i to do just that. The challenge for us is to understand how to achieve the academic environment our children deserve to function effectively in this era of globalization. There are no easy answers, only the assurance that investing in our children is the best investment we can make in securing a place for them and Hawai'i in the global economy.

As Hawai'i businesses strive for international success, we would do well to remember this lesson. We wish to thank Naisbitt for recognizing that Hawai'i has the talent, geographic location and aloha spirit to design its own personal domain of success. Our questions are, "Are we willing, and do we have the proactive will to do it?"

Glenn Miyataki
President, JAIMS