NEW APPROACH ON AID SEEN

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33355, 13 October 1973, Page 16

NEW APPROACH ON AID SEEN

The need for New Zealand to adopt a new approach to aid and work through developing countries’ own agencies is emphasised by two Christchurch C.0.R.5.0. representatives just back from an Asian tour and a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation in India,

The Canterbury organiser (Mr R. A. Consedine) and Father .1. Curnow, a national executive member of C.0.R.5.0., said that a firsthand look at projects in I India and elsewhere conIvinced F.A.O. delegates that lin spite of 20 years of aid, | the gap between rich and poor was widening. Both men also visited Bangladesh, Thailand, South Vietnam, and Indonesia, and said they were appalled by incredible . malnutrition, hunger, poverty, and human misery in Asia. PROJECTS There were projects, in India for example, which were examined in the light of people’s participation and over-all social development. While they benefited some, there were still many people living in dire poverty. The pair said aid injected from outside a country was not the answer.

People needed to be involved in projects right from the start. More than this, they had to be made conscious of their own situation and needs. “The trouble is that after 20 years there is still real poverty, especially among the rural masses, and it is growing,” Father Curnow said. KEY FIGURE He said a key figure in the future would be the “change agent” who would identify with the people and promote social awareness. In some areas, particularly where there was an oppressive government, this role could be hazardous. He would most likely be a local man — it was unlikely a white man would be sent, into an Indian village. The important thing was that he identify closely with the local people and once he had aroused awareness of the need for change, local leadership could play its role. Mr Consedine sees a need for C.0.R.5.0. to work more closely with aid agencies in other countries, with grants being made so projects could start without delays. “There must be close liai-| son as well — we had turned down an application for funds for bicycles in Indonesia, but found it was vital that change agents have these for essential mobility,” he said. Father Curnow said there would be a new emphasis on partnership and not just giving of rich to poor. This would involve sharing the development process and realising that other peoples had something to offer as well. COLLABORATION Both men said they would like to see more collaboration in New Zealand between official Government aid and private aid agencies. They will be having talks with the Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) on this point. In Canada, they added, one section of the Government’s Internationa] Devel- : opment Agency worked with private agencies and this 1 could perhaps be in-[ instigated.