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Session 2660

CAPACITY BUILDING – ENGINEERS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Russel C. Jones, Ph.D., P.E. World Expertise LLC and Bethany S. Oberst, Ph.D. James Madison University

Abstract

The global persistence of warfare, aggression, oppression and political unrest testify to the growing vulnerability and impatience of those who live in conditions of extreme poverty. A larger injection of aid is needed to help stabilize the poorest countries: projects that promise only long-term results are inadequate responses to immediate needs. But in order to insure that this aid is not wasted, the population of these countries must be prepared to act in partnership with the donor nations in monitoring funds distribution and assessing their impact on the economic welfare of their countries.

This paper argues two points. First, foreign aid in the US and other developed countries must be raised to a minimum of .7% of the combined GDP of the developed countries. Second, 10% of that foreign aid must be earmarked for higher learning in engineering and technology in order to increase economic development and its concomitant result, alleviation of poverty. With an adequately educated and trained indigenous workforce to help implement foreign assistance, chances are increased for sustainable improvement in the living standards of the people.

Introduction

“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime.” (Anon.)

“It is good fishing in troubled waters.” (Anon.)

Developing countries need to be taught how to fish, rather than continually having fish

Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition

Copyright © 2003, American Society for Engineering Education

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Oberst, B., & Jones, R. (2003, June), Capacity Building Engineers For Developing Countries Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--12596