Message-ID: <527BC70372B@hal2010.nw.uoguelph.ca> Date: Thu, 8 Feb 1996 09:23:41 EDT From: mailto:ASARE@NET2.EOS.UOGUELPH.CA> Subject: Re: Volunteers and Human settlements development To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
I think the concept needs to be fine-tuned not phased out completly. the basic problem facing most NGOs when it comes to cumunitry development in the developing countries is funding. It has never been lack of expertise as far as I know. Most developing countries have well qualified personnel to undertake some of the work to be accomplished by a foreign volunteer at a fraction of the expenses that will be incurred by foreign volunteer including passage, allowances etc. etc. Besides, the local experts are well exposed to the society they are dealing with and understand the socio-economic and traditional beleives of the people and problems at stake. I will think the volunteer organizations should find a way of identifying such organizations and experts in the fields of interest and colaborate with them and support them with funds and equipment where neccessary. asare
#-Is the concept of sending international volunteers in support of #-development assistance still relevant, or is it an outdated idea ?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 #-