January_1970 — Page 21

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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