GTZ adopts GATE principles
In the late 1970s and during the Eighties it was perceived that Appropriate Technology (AT) was an alternative to the uncritical transfer of technology from North to South. In this context the Deutsches Zentrum fur Entwicklungstechnologien/the German Appropriate Technology Exchange (GATE), a special division of the government-owned Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusarmnenarbeit/German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), was set up in July 1978 in order to assist and to influence the work of GTZ as a whole. GATE is primarily a centre for the dissemination of information on appropriate technologies for developing countries. Its work is focussed on collecting, processing and disseminating information on technologies appropriate to the needs of the developing countries; ascertaining their technological requirements and promoting the development and adaptation of these technologies by means of personnel, material and equipment. Other areas in which GATE works are: research and development) cooperation in technological development; and environmental protection. 'HOLISTIC' APPROACH During the 12 years of its existence GATE has made made contributions to the development of appropriate technologies, and has further developed the concept of AT and made it accessible, taking a 'holistic' view of technology. GATE has cooperated closely with self-help initiatives from a very early stage and has been linked with the work of NGOs and 19 counterpart organizations in Africa, Asia and Latin America. To support their activities a free regional question-and answer service was established, together with a library. QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SERVICE Recently, attempts to improve the information service, which in its first eight years answered some 17,000 letters, have been instigated. A survey conducted by questionnaire, has been undertaken in seven developing countries. GATE's aims are that its long experience and that of other institutions should be drawn on to provide answers; that intensive contact should be maintained with institutions and people from developing countries; that experience gained in one place should be available elsewhere; that the information provided should not be purely technical but should be related to the context; that free access to existing information should be guaranteed; that help should tee given with the minimum of 'red tape'; that there should bee central address in Germany where all inquiries can be sent; and, finally, that increasing numbers of inquirers should find out about Appropriate Technology and the work of GATE. By 1988 the GATE library contained some 4200 publications. In order to simplify the job of processing information and, in particular, to make the available information more readily accessible, GATE introduced the CDS ISIS archiving system, provided by UNESCO. Also in 1988 the Building Advisory Service and Information Network (BASIN), was established in response to the increasing need for information on building materials and construction in developing countries. GATE also publishes a quarterly newsletter called 'GATE', which is distributed free of charge. Abstracts of important articles appear in French and Spanish, as well as English, and special occasional issues in these languages are published. Examples of these editions are: building; food; micro-hydropower; renewable energies; transport; and simple teaching materials. REORGANIZATlON In 1988, GTZ was reorganized and the principles and practices which had guided GATE for a decade had a considerable influence on the outcome. GTZ will now give priority to resolving problems related to target groups and executing agencies, to providing resources for socio-cultural, socio-economic, and socio-organizational know-how on the one hand, and to finding more time to search for appropriate technical solutions on the other. GATE no longer carries out its own projects, but has a role as a central coordinator. For more details, contact: Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) German Agency for Technical Cooperation Post Box 5180 - Dag - Hammarskjold - Weg 1 D - 6236 Eschborn 1 - GERMANY
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| Format: | News Item biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation
1990
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/45310 http://collections.infocollections.org/ukedu/en/d/Jcta27e/ |
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| Summary: | In the late 1970s and during the Eighties it was perceived that Appropriate Technology (AT) was an alternative to the uncritical transfer of technology from North to South. In this context the Deutsches Zentrum fur Entwicklungstechnologien/the German Appropriate Technology Exchange (GATE), a special division of the government-owned Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusarmnenarbeit/German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), was set up in July 1978 in order to assist and to influence the work of GTZ as a whole.
GATE is primarily a centre for the dissemination of information on appropriate technologies for developing countries. Its work is focussed on collecting, processing and disseminating information on technologies appropriate to the needs of the developing countries; ascertaining their technological requirements and promoting the development and adaptation of these technologies by means of personnel, material and equipment. Other areas in which GATE works are: research and development) cooperation in technological development; and environmental protection.
'HOLISTIC' APPROACH
During the 12 years of its existence GATE has made made contributions to the development of appropriate technologies, and has further developed the concept of AT and made it accessible, taking a 'holistic' view of technology. GATE has cooperated closely with self-help initiatives from a very early stage and has been linked with the work of NGOs and 19 counterpart organizations in Africa, Asia and Latin America. To support their activities a free regional question-and answer service was established, together with a library.
QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SERVICE
Recently, attempts to improve the information service, which in its first eight years answered some 17,000 letters, have been instigated. A survey conducted by questionnaire, has been undertaken in seven developing countries. GATE's aims are that its long experience and that of other institutions should be drawn on to provide answers; that intensive contact should be maintained with institutions and people from developing countries; that experience gained in one place should be available elsewhere; that the information provided should not be purely technical but should be related to the context; that free access to existing information should be guaranteed; that help should tee given with the minimum of 'red tape'; that there should bee central address in Germany where all inquiries can be sent; and, finally, that increasing numbers of inquirers should find out about Appropriate Technology and the work of GATE.
By 1988 the GATE library contained some 4200 publications. In order to simplify the job of processing information and, in particular, to make the available information more readily accessible, GATE introduced the CDS ISIS archiving system, provided by UNESCO.
Also in 1988 the Building Advisory Service and Information Network (BASIN), was established in response to the increasing need for information on building materials and construction in developing countries.
GATE also publishes a quarterly newsletter called 'GATE', which is distributed free of charge. Abstracts of important articles appear in French and Spanish, as well as English, and special occasional issues in these languages are published. Examples of these editions are: building; food; micro-hydropower; renewable energies; transport; and simple teaching materials.
REORGANIZATlON
In 1988, GTZ was reorganized and the principles and practices which had guided GATE for a decade had a considerable influence on the outcome. GTZ will now give priority to resolving problems related to target groups and executing agencies, to providing resources for socio-cultural, socio-economic, and socio-organizational know-how on the one hand, and to finding more time to search for appropriate technical solutions on the other. GATE no longer carries out its own projects, but has a role as a central coordinator.
For more details, contact:
Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ)
German Agency for Technical Cooperation
Post Box 5180 - Dag - Hammarskjold - Weg 1
D - 6236 Eschborn 1 - GERMANY |
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