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Ministers from more than 20 G8 and Broader Middle East and North Africa nations met in Rabat, December 10-11, 2004 at the first Forum for the Future. The first meeting of education ministers from the countries of the G8 and the Broader Middle East and North Africa initiative met at the Dead Sea, Jordan from May 22-23, 2005.
The host country usually organizes several meetings in advance of the Summit, where personal representatives of the Leaders, known as "Sherpas" (after the Himalayan porters who help others to climb mountain summits), come together to discuss potential agenda issues. Their discussions help Leaders focus attention on key subjects. The Sherpas, who often work as advisors in Leaders' offices, correspond directly with each other throughout the year concerning ongoing issues. After the Summit, they also oversee the implementation of Leaders' commitments made at the Summit. The Sherpas are supported by networks of other senior officials who focus on major economic, financial and political issues.
In addition to the Sherpa process, again this year there will also be a dedicated network of African Personal Representatives. Announced at the Genoa Summit in 2001, this group worked with representatives of African Leaders to develop a G8 action plan in response to the New Partnership for Africa's Development.
As part of this initiative, Education Ministers from the G8 and the BMENA region launched the actual third Ministerial Meeting on Education.