Al
P Conference paper
A broader basis for regional co-operation
by
R.A. Callow, F.A.I.A.
NOBODY will deny, no matter what his background or point-of-view, that there is great need for an Architects Regional Centre in Asia. But exactly how wide is this need?
Let us look more closely at the member-nations' relationship to the professional, technical and, indirectly, economic benefit which should eman- ate from ARCASIA. Let us study the list to find out those countries best able to contribute both skill and fin- ance and also those countries best able (by virtue of their greatest needs) to receive first benefits from the scheme. Geographically from West to East,
first:
Pakistan: need? Yes, her social development stage calls for both eco- nomic and professional/technical/ education aid despite that existing from U.N. and the U.S.A.;
India: need? Yes, although India can contribute professional/technical skills she needs economic and educa- tion support to speed her prosperity;
Ceylon: need? Yes, Ceylon has adequate skill at professional/technical levels for her size but has great need for economic development;
Brunei: need? Yes, but the reverse of Ceylon since she has very ample funds but lacks every skill;
Malaysia: need? No, Malaysia has as good professional/technical facilities (except for research/education) as any- where in the world and her economy could be as sound as Singapore's if politicians would allow it to proceed unhindered;
Singapore: need? No, in skills equal to Malaysia and with an economic
situation conducive to sound progress;
Hong Kong: need? No, economical- ly so rich and keen on economic prosperity that professional/technical skill can be dispensed with or bought internationally of the best, as required;
Burma: need? Yes, and 'yes' again, for she badly needs some of the pro- fessional/technical and economic af-
Country
Brunei
Burma
fluence of her not-too-distant neigh- bours.
Bur-
But, some-one will remind me, ma is no longer a member of the Commonwealth. This is true and neither are Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia-cum-West Irian and the other countries of the region whose inhabitants so greatly need all the knowledge and help we can give.
Taking Vietnam alone as an exam- ple, it is clear that if and when the war ends she will be exhausted and in need of support. If we do not come forward to help, other friends from Asia will be quick to do so for political and finan- cial reasons.
(N.B. The tables at Appendix ‘A' indicate the flow of expert assistance between various Asian countries in one ty- pical year of United Nations Organisation's programme.)
APPENDIX 'A': TYPICAL U.N. (ECAFE) AID YEAR:
ليا
Advisers
Advisers
Fellows
to:
from:
to:
Fellows from:
3
Nil
3
Nil
44
7
48
16
Cambodia
Ceylon
48
1
36
1
57
22
96
39
Formosa (Taiwan)
25
28
112
14
Hong Kong
Nil
Nil
20
21
India
215
245
293
270
Indonesia
93
6
171
11
Japan
6
53
103
166
Laos
41
Nil
28
Nil
Macao
Nil
Nil
2
3
Malaysia
70
3
121
100
Maldive Islands Nepal
3
Nil
1
Nil
42
1
56
Nil
Pakistan
95
33
181
16
Philippines Thailand
57
43
146
258
72
9
167
168
Vietnam
36
9
59
1
33 23
Far East BUILDER, January 1970
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