1.0 INTRODUCTION
In this unit, we will examine international technical assistance which is another way states deploy to project their foreign policy and interests just as in the case of extending foreign aid. However, in this unit, we will focus attention on Nigeria’s technical assistance to other developing countries. However, examples may be cited from other countries.2.0 OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:- Discuss international technical assistance;
- Explain Nigeria’s Technical Aids Corp Scheme;
- Explain the importance of this in international politics.
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 Nigeria’s Technical Aids Corp Scheme (TAC)
The Technical Aid Corps scheme was established in 1987 by the Federal Government of Nigeria to streamline the nation’s hitherto uncoordinated foreign aid and technical assistance policy. Since its inception it has become an important tool of the nation’s foreign policy and, plays a very important role in cementing relations with friendly countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions. It was legally backed up in 1993, by Decree 27 to aid its activities. The TAC programme is managed under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This Scheme is basically an alternative to direct financial aid to African countries, especially those of the Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP). Nigeria shares its technical know-how and expertise based on already assessed and perceived needs to the recipient countries. The Technical Aid Corps Scheme however, invariably promotes cooperation and understanding between Nigeria and the ACP states.The programme involves the development of highly experienced Nigerian professionals in the fields of medicine, nursing, education, engineering, agriculture, accountancy and other related fields to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) for a period of two years in the first instance, subject to possible extension. The assistance offered under the scheme is covered by a TAC country Agreement between Nigeria and the individual recipient country. This agreement outlines the obligations and responsibilities of each party. Since its inception 17 years ago, over 2,000 volunteers have served in more than 27 ACP countries
3.2 International Technical Assistance
The Natural Resources Conservation Service receives numerous requests to provide technical assistance in foreign countries. NRCS helps improve the management and conservation of natural resources globally by providing long- and short-term technical assistance and leadership with our foreign partners. Due to lack of statutory authority to fund technical assistance outside the U.S., NRCS participates in these activities on a reimbursable basis, through USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service/International Cooperation and Development (FAS/ICD). Under provisions of the Economy Act, NRCS may provide technical expertise to another federal agency on a reimbursable basis. Funding agencies include the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Bank, and host countries.3.2.1 Long-Term Technical Assistance
Over the years, 196 employees have provided long-term (resident) international technical services for natural resource conservation projects in 16 countries on every continent except Antarctica. They resided in country with their families for a minimum of one year, usually two or more.3.2.2 Short-Term Technical Assistance
NRCS has provided short-term technical assistance and leadership, usually two weeks in duration, in developing programmes and projects in over 140 other countries to conserve and improve natural resources. During FY 1999, NRCS specialists participated in 32 assignments in ten foreign countries to develop and implement policies and programs for the conservation of natural resources.3.2.3 Procedures
Scope of Work Requests for nominations originate outside NRCS and are forwarded to IPD directly or through FAS/ICD. IPD works with FAS/ICD to evaluate the scope of work to determine whether NRCS has and can make available the required expertise. Evaluation and Selection: Specific detailed selection criteria are generated from the scope of work and generally include the following:- Technical expertise;
- Availability (duration of assignment);
- International experience;
- Language capability.
Through the networks within NRCS (such as technical divisions, program managers, and special emphasis program managers), a list of viable candidates will be developed. Candidates are evaluated against the established selection criteria. After the top candidate is identified, but before contact with the staff member, a contact will be made with the supervisor and state conservationist to ensure they are aware of the request and concur in the candidate’s participation.
3.2.4 Processing
Once the selection process is complete, an International Travel Request Form (ITRF) is completed by the traveler and forwarded to IPD, either electronically or by fax. The ITRF ensures that all necessary information is provided, as follows:Name, organizational unit, discipline Purpose of travel Benefit to NRCS, if any. (Avoid generalities and include assessment of nominee’s effectiveness in carrying out the assignment and transferring technology upon return). Passport information Approvals of supervisor and state conservationistThe ITRF is shared with FAS/ICD for purposes of arranging travel and securing country clearance.
Responsibilities The employee, NRCS, and FAS/ICD each have specific responsibilities
in the process of implementing a technical assistance activity. NRCS will provide overall guidance in this process. Employee Responsibilities: Complete ITRF and secure approvals of supervisor and state
conservationist. Work with NRCS to secure official passport and visa. Secure necessary immunizations.NRCS Responsibilities: Advise the traveler on immunizations and other travel preparations. Secure official passport and visa. Develop budget and submit to FAS/ICD for issuance of Form AD-52, an Interagency Reimbursable Agreement.
FAS/ICD Responsibilities: Issue travel authorization and tickets. Secure country clearance. Issue Form AD-672 for reimbursement of costs.
3.2.5 Funding
NRCS will develop a budget to support the services provided and forward the budget to the funding agency. Funding for the project is held by the funding agency and obligated by Form AD-672. NRCS bills against the AD-672 when the activity is completed and actual costs are known.3.2.6 International Technical Assistance Measures
- Article 22 of the Covenant establishes a mechanism by which the Economic and Social Council may bring to the attention of relevant United Nations bodies any matters arising out of reports submitted under the Covenant "which may assist such bodies in deciding, each within its field of competence, on the advisability of international measures likely to contribute to the effective progressive implementation of the ... Covenant". While the primary responsibility under article 22 is vested in the Council, it is clearly appropriate for the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to play an active role in advising and assisting the Council in this regard.
- Recommendations in accordance with article 22 may be made to any "organs of the United Nations, their subsidiary organs and specialized agencies concerned with furnishing technical assistance". The Committee considers that this provision should be interpreted so as to include virtually all United Nations organs and agencies involved in any aspect of international development cooperation. It would therefore be appropriate for recommendations in accordance with article 22 to be addressed, inter alia, to the Secretary-General, subsidiary organs of the Council such as the Commission on Human Rights, the Commission on Social Development and the Commission on the Status of Women, other bodies such as UNDP, UNICEF and CDP, agencies such as the World Bank and IMF, and any of the other specialized agencies such as ILO, FAO, UNESCO and WHO.
- Article 22 could lead either to recommendations of a general policy nature or to more narrowly focused recommendations relating to a specific situation. In the former context, the principal role of the Committee would seem to be to encourage greater attention to efforts to promote economic, social and cultural
- As a preliminary practical matter, the Committee notes that its own endeavours would be assisted, and the relevant agencies would also be better informed, if they were to take a greater interest in the work of the Committee. While recognizing that such an interest can be demonstrated in a variety of ways, the Committee observes that attendance by representatives of the appropriate United Nations bodies at its first four sessions has,with the notable exceptions of ILO, UNESCO and WHO, been very low. Similarly, pertinent materials and written information had been received from only a very limited number of agencies. The Committee considers that a deeper understanding of the relevance of economic, social and cultural rights in the context of international development cooperation activities would be considerably facilitated through greater interaction between the Committee and the appropriate agencie. At the very least, the day of general discussion on a specific issue, which the Committee undertakes at each of its sessions, provides an ideal context in which a potentially productive exchange of views can be undertaken.
- On the broader issues of the promotion of respect for human rights in the context of development activities, the Committee has so far seen only rather limited evidence of specific efforts by United Nations bodies. It notes with satisfaction in this regard the initiative taken jointly by the Centre for Human Rights and UNDP in writing to United Nations Resident Representatives and other field-based officials, inviting their "suggestions and advice, in particular with respect to possible forms of cooperation in ongoing projects [identified] as having a human rights dimension or in new ones in response to a specific Government's request". The Committee has also been informed of long-standing efforts undertaken by ILO to link its own human rights and other international labour standards to its technical cooperation activities. With respect to such activities, two general principles are important. The first is that the two sets of human rights are indivisible and interdependent. This means that efforts to promote one set of rights should also take full account of the other. United Nations agencies involved in the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights should do their utmost to ensure that their activities are fully consistent with the enjoyment of civil and political rights. In negative terms this means that the international agencies should scrupulously avoid involvement in projects which, for example, involve the use of forced labour in contravention of international standards, or promote or reinforce discrimination against individuals or groups contrary to the provisions of the Covenant, or involve large-scale evictions or displacement of persons without the provision of all appropriate protection and compensation. In positive terms, it means that, wherever possible, the agencies should act as advocates of projects and approaches which contribute not only to economic growth or other broadly defined objectives, but also to enhanced enjoyment of the full range of human rights.The second principle of general relevance is that development cooperation activities do not automatically contribute to the promotion of respect for economic, social and cultural rights. Many activities undertaken in the name of "development" have subsequently been recognized as ill-conceived and even counter- productive in human rights terms. In order to reduce the incidence of such problems, the whole range of issues dealt with in the Covenant should, wherever possible and appropriate, be given specific and careful consideration. Despite the importance of seeking to integrate human rights concerns into development activities, it is true that proposals for such integration can too easily remain at a level of generality. Thus, in an effort to encourage the operationalization of the principle contained in article 22 of the Covenant, the Committee wishes to draw attention to the following specific measures which merit consideration by the relevant bodies:(a) As a matter of principle, the appropriate United Nations organs and agencies should specifically recognize the intimate relationship which should be established between development activities, efforts to promote respect for human rights in general, and economic, social and cultural rights in particular. The Committee notes in this regard the failure of each of the first three United Nations Development Decade Strategies to recognize that relationship and urges that the fourth such strategy, to be adopted in 1990, should rectify that omission;(b) Consideration should be given by United Nations agencies to the proposal, made by the Secretary-General in a report of 1979 1/ that a "human rights impact statement" be required to be prepared in connection with all major development cooperation activities;(c) The training or briefing given to project and other personnel employed by United Nations agencies should include a component dealing with human rights standards and principles;(d) Every effort should be made, at each phase of a development project, to ensure that the rights contained in the Covenants are duly taken into account. This would apply, for example, in the initial assessment of the priority needs of a particular country, in the identification of particular projects, in project design, in the implementation of the project, and in its final evaluation.
- A matter which has been of particular concern to the Committee in the examination of the reports of States parties, is the adverse impact of the debt burden and of the relevant adjustmentmeasures on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights in many countries. The Committee recognizes that adjustment programmes will often be unavoidable and that these will frequently involve a major element of austerity. Under such circumstances, however, endeavours to protect the most basic economic, social and cultural rights become more, rather than less, urgent. States parties to the Covenant, as well as the relevant United Nations agencies, should thus make a particular effort to ensure that such protection is, to the maximum extent possible, built-in to programmes and policies designed to promote adjustment. Such an approach, which is sometimes referred to as "adjustment with a human face" or as promoting "the human dimension of development" requires that the goal of protecting the rights of the poor and vulnerable should become a basic objective of economic adjustment. Similarly, international measures to deal with the debt crisis should take full account of the need to protect economic, social and cultural rights through, inter alia, international cooperation. In many situations, this might point to the need for major debt relief initiatives. Finally, the Committee may wish to draw attention to the important opportunity provided to States parties, in accordance with article 22 of the Covenant, to identify in their reports any particular needs they might have for technical assistance or development cooperation.
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