Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.960208121829.14110D-100000@suna.unv.ch> Date: Thu, 8 Feb 1996 12:29:46 +0100 From: Lim Hoe <mailto:hoe@UNV.ORG> Subject: Volunteers and Human settlements development To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
Is the concept of sending international volunteers in support of development assistance still relevant, or is it an outdated idea ? If it is the latter, does this mean that international volunteer sending agencies (VSAs) should be phased out ?Over recent years the demand for international volunteers to support technical cooperation programmes has been on the decline. This is partly due to the increased human resource capacity of developing countries and partly due to the changed environment for development assistance. In the case of habitat (human settlements development ) - locally based NGOs and CBOs are now recognised as the key actors. How can a VSA support the work of these organisations ? Or, what are the key problems faced by NGOs and CBOs working in Habitat related fields (ie. urban poverty, shelter, basic services, street children, urban environment, etc) that could be alleviated with the support of a VSA ? What form should this support take ?
Does anybody have any views on these questions ? Would be interested to hear from you.
Thanks.
Hoe Lim