Prospect and Retrospect of Alternative Education in the Asia-Pacific Region　Rcport of the International Seminar for the Development of Alternative Education : Sharing Experiences among ’Free School’Educators in Asia and the Pacific

this international seminar was hosted by the National Institute for Educational Policy Research (NIER) in which innovative practicing educators and specialists of various countries were invited to exchange experiences and deliberate amongresearchers and educators of Japan，and through presentations and discussion the seminar provided an opportunity to propose solutions for the many problems surrounding free schools and alternative education. A total of 15 educators，researchers and specialists of nine countries came together，and for one week commencing March 18，2002，they carried out passionate presentations and discussions.Although it was in such peaceful surroundings that the seminar was held，the debates and discussions were serious and passionate，and the results may serve to help shape policies and opinions at various levels，and contribute to solve the numerous practical aspects.It would be regrettable to keep such meaningful content solely within the domain of the participants alone，and so we have compiled the individual papers presented at the seminar as well as a summary of the discussions into this report