Globalization has fostered a very last rate of change to which humans must adapt and develop strategies for adoption of changes in order to survive and prosper in this new global society. In this new learning and knowledge-based society, citizens must have global skills and competencies as well as universal ethos and value systems that would be required to meet the challenges of the globalization 21^st century. To acquired such flexibility in adopting to change, the education must be a continuing one and must be available anywhere and anytime and on any subject needed by the individual. Hence, he new system of education must be lifelong and borderless.

Higher learning institutions must therefore also change and adopt to new conditions and societal needs. They will no longer have the monopoly of producing and transmitting information and knowledge. Some industries can also becomes providers and source of information and knowledge. More than ever, the learners must be exposed to the actual world of work both locally and internationally. Cooperative education - the education institutions, the industries and private sectors as well as the government must therefore be promoted to further enhance cooperative education in the globalize society.

 The economic crisis that happened in 1997 has taught the Asian countries including Indonesia among others, of the need for trained man power who can handle the socio-economic and political uncertainties as well as scientific and technological advances. Thus, more than ever, high quality on the job training in industries and private between universities industries / private sector and government Asia-Pacific region is one possible strategy for attaining the dream of a prosperous Asia-Pacific region.

With WACE leadership, it is hope that the 2002 Asia Pacific Regional Conferences on Cooperative Education that will be held in Bandung, Indonesia and expected to be attended by over 350 CO-OP professional, educators, HRD Professional and employee from over 20 countries, can address most of the issues mentioned above and challenges to create world-class people who will be prepared to face challenges of the new century.