TNAG-1255-FCO40-1588-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 51

CONFIDENTIAL

SECRET

(a)

Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation

Commonwealth leaders will welcome the improved strength of the Fund due essentially to new forward planning techniques, the continued support of the major contributor countries and the whole- hearted response to my call for increased contributions from the very many small developing countries who are the Fund's principal beneficiaries. There is general agreement that in present difficult financial times the Fund should look to the period immediately ahead as one of consolidation. These very times, however, enlarge the need for the Fund's assistance. While growth will be modest, therefore, it is essential that the Fund be alert to the most pressing needs and constantly responsive to them.

(b)

Student Mobility

At their Melbourne Meeting, Heads of Government reaffirmed the importance of student mobility and educational interchange within the Commonwealth, both in the context of the development efforts of member countries and the maintenance of Commonwealth links. Pursuant to the Melbourne discussion the Commonwealth Standing Commitee on Student Mobility was established in 1982 and its Report will be before leaders at New Delhi. The Commitee sees educational interchange as a Commonwealth imperative, and makes wide-ranging recommendations to put such interchange on a more assured basis and to give it greater coherence. The Commitee proposes initiatives designed to improve consultation, to facilitate and diversify student interchange, and to promote new and imaginative approaches to Commonwealth cooperation in higher education with a view to widening the range of opportunities for Commonwealth citizens. Heads of Government will wish to consider the Committee's recommendations in this most important area of intra- Commonwealth activities.

(c)

Commonwealth Youth Programme

At Melbourne, Heads of Government agreed that the Commonwealth Youth Programme should be provided with adequate resources to sustain its existing level of activities and, to this end, that Governments should seek to maintain the value of their contributions in real terms. encouraging that this objective has broadly been achieved and that the Programme has been set on a stable course. Heads of Government may wish to reaffirm their support for the Programme as well as their commitment to maintaining the value of their pledges.

(d)

Commonwealth Science Council

The Commonwealth Science Council has set up an Expert Group to examine ways and means of promoting an expanded programme of Commonwealth scientific cooperation, especially in new and emerging areas of developmental significance. Heads of Government may wish to welcome the establishment of this Group, whose recommendations could take Commonwealth scientific cooperation to a higher threshold.

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CONFIDENTIAL