3rd Seminar on International Voluntary Service

Recommendation 553 (1969)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

(see Doc. 2539, report of the Committee on Social and Health Questions). Text adopted by the Standing Committee acting on behalf of the Assembly, on 19 March 1969

The Assembly,

1. Recalling its Resolution 355 (1967) on the convening of a 3rd Seminar on International Voluntary Service, on the theme of "Co-operation in economic and social development : responsibility of trade unions, co-operatives, voluntary agencies and industrial and commercial enterprise in developing countries" ;

2. Recalling the texts adopted earlier on international voluntary service, in particular Recommendations 345 (1963), 419 (1965) and 486 (1967), and Resolutions 256 (1963) and 292 (1965) ;

3. Expressing its satisfaction at the success of the 3rd Seminar held in Strasbourg from 4-8 November 1968, and at the presence on that occasion of representatives of several governments of the Council of Europe member states and a number of members of the Consultative Assembly, among whom several members of its Committee on Social and Health Questions ;

4. Considering that the various organisations active in the field of development co-operation should be better informed of each other's activities and that there should be more co-operation and co-ordination in the aid efforts by governments and non-governmental organisations ;

5. Being of the opinion that the non-governmental organisations are particularly apt to promote the creation of intermediary bodies (co-operatives, private enterprise, non-governmental organisations) in the developing countries, permitting a greater number of their inhabitants to take up individual or collective responsibilities in development projects ;

6. Considering that it is in the interest of the populations of the developing countries to participate as much as possible in development projects ;

7. Stressing the need for a European information centre on intermediate technology (low-cost technology) assembling information on this matter and exploring the most effective forms of presenting the compiled information and communicating it to users in developing countries ;

8. Aware that the improvement of the intellectual, economic and social life of the developing countries can only be achieved through a diversification of employment possibilities and that, with a view to avoiding congestion in towns, the local population should be able to change employment without changing residence ;

9. Having decided to transmit to the Committee of Ministers the conclusions adopted by the Seminar (Appendix II to Doc. 2539),

10. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers urge the member governments of the Council of Europe :

10.1 With regard to their action in Europe in the field of development co-operation :

a to promote by all possible means a better supply of information on developing countries as well as on bilateral and multilateral action by governments, non-governmental technical assistance organisations, and private enterprise ;

b to facilitate in countries in which they do not yet exist the creation of bodies through which non-governmental organisations and industries may obtain and exchange information and to concert their actions in this respect ;

c to carry out, with the support of trade unions, employers' organisations and voluntary agencies, a public opinion information campaign, using mass communication media, with a view to obtaining large grants for assistance to developing countries ;

d to cultivate public awareness from childhood, by incorporating subjects relating to development into school curricula at all levels, and to plan teacher training accordingly ;

e to encourage the efforts of non-governmental organisations and private enterprise with a view to :

10.1.5.1 the improved selection and training of personnel preparing to work in developing countries, taking into account the skills required for the transmission of knowledge ; and

10.1.5.2 a concerted search for a satisfactory solution to the problem of relocating technical personnel on their return from developing countries after their term of service ;

f to support the creation of a special assistance fund for European non-governmental organisations' economic programmes in developing countries ;

g to facilitate the foundation of a European information centre on intermediate technology (low-cost, simple and easily manipulated tools) ;

h to investigate the repercussions caused by the economic development of developing countries on economic and social life in European countries, and take whatever action is necessary for the progressive adjustment to this ;

10.2 With regard to their bilateral and multilateral aid policies in the field of development co-operation :

a to consider as a priority in the choice of subsidised programmes and projects, the diversification of employment possibilities in rural areas, through the introduction of secondary activities or industries, and to consult the governments of the developing countries concerned on these programmes and projects ;

b to encourage the changeover from subsistence to market economy, and from monoculture to diversified agriculture ;

c to strive for balanced industrial development :

10.2.3.1 avoiding partitioning of town and country ;

10.2.3.2 improving the condition of the multitude rather than of a small elite ;

10.2.3.3 supported by cultural, educational and social assistance from, inter alia, the non-governmental organisations, in order to ensure a better adaptation of the communities affected by new living conditions ;

d to encourage the formation of intermediary bodies in countries receiving assistance (co-operatives, local non-governmental organisations, private enterprise etc.) ;

e to ensure the flexible and effective deployment of programmes in countries receiving assistance, by means of the following :

10.2.5.1 participation of the intermediary bodies mentioned above in planning of projects ;

10.2.5.2 wherever possible, implementation of projects by European or indigenous non-governmental organisations or by private enterprise ;

10.2.5.3 planning of projects to offer social and professional training relevant to the actual conditions of the labour market ;

10.2.5.4 investment in projects partly financed by the private savings in the countries receiving assistance ;

10.2.5.5 adoption of projects to supply, or produce locally, simple, low-cost and easily manipulated tools ;

f to support and assist the foundation in developing countries of permanent centres to supply information and assistance to European non-governmental organisations and private enterprise, complemented by a reception and training centre for European personnel from non-governmental organisations and private enterprise, with a view to improving their knowledge of the cultural, economic and social conditions of the country for which they are going to work ;

Recommends that the Committee of Ministers :

11. determine the extent to which these proposals could be implemented through the Intergovernmental Programme of Work of the Council of Europe ;

12. support the organisation of a 4th Seminar on International Voluntary Service, to be convened under the auspices of the Consultative Assembly in the autumn of 1970, authorise the Secretary General to supply all administrative assistance and material facilities, and allocate the appropriations required for this purpose in the 1970 Budget in Vote III "Expenditure of the Assembly" under the Sub-head on the organisation of ad hoc conferences.