Experts in Asia : an inquiry into Australian technical assistance

Abstract

Although Australian aid to developing countries has grown tremendously over the last fifteen or so years, the effectiveness of such aid has never been properly investigated. This book is the result of the first study undertaken into Australian overseas aid and deals with the performance of Australian experts serving in Asia under the Colombo Plan, and the United Nations. The book has been based largely on data derived from a questionnaire sent to experts in the field between 1954 and 1964. The author examines the success of technical assistance missions, where things have tended to go wrong, and the kinds of improvements that need to be made. His work will be of great value to all those persons and institutions directly or indirectly associated with Australian overseas aid - officers of the Department of External Affairs and of the United Nations, voluntary aid bodies, past and present workers in Asia, aid administrators in other donor countries, such as New Zealand, and of course to Asian governments.