Price reduced Key Competencies: Aiming for International Standard Academic Ability: OECD DeSeCo: Definition and Selection of Competencies Yoshihiro Tatsuta / Dominique Simone Rychen / Laura Hersh Salganik / Kozo Imanishi / Kumiko Iwasaki / Yuji Saruta List Price: ¥4,180 When considering the power of learning, there are limitations to the conventional view of ability that focuses solely on the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Instead, a broader and deeper view of ability, based on competencies (fundamental human characteristics), is needed, encompassing everything from the motivation and interest in learning to actions and behaviors. This book is the result of the international and interdisciplinary project (DeSeCo) undertaken by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) to answer the question of what academic ability is common in today's world, which is undergoing globalization and advanced information technology. DeSeCo, through the collaboration of experts in interdisciplinary fields and policymakers from 12 countries, organized prior theories, research topics of international surveys, and educational and labor policies of each country. Based on the situations in each country, it summarized the concept of abilities common to future international surveys into three categories and defined new concepts useful in a wide range of life areas, including education, economics, politics, and welfare. It aimed for the international standardization of academic ability for individuals and societies to live together and presented the concept of key competencies. This conceptual framework was proposed because lifelong competency concepts are needed, including school-based PISA (OECD Programme for International Student Assessment) surveys and international adult competency surveys. Competency is a fundamental learning ability throughout life, a new concept that goes beyond the mere acquisition of knowledge and skills. It is nurtured not only in schools but also in the world of daily life, including homes, workplaces, and communities. Acquiring and understanding this power is the key to the success of each of us in life and to forming a better society. The two questions in this book are: First, what competencies, besides reading, writing, and arithmetic, should be acquired to achieve success and happiness in life and to meet the challenges of society? Second, which competencies are important at what times and places in life, such as when studying, getting a job, building relationships, getting promoted, retiring, and from youth to the elderly? And do they work anywhere and anytime, regardless of conditions such as country, region, age, gender, class, and occupation? In this book, the answers are presented, and three particularly important key competencies are shown.