Diversity in development : US voluntary assistance to Africa, summary of findings

PVO"s in Africa is presented. Part one identifies existing PVO"s and describes aspects of their organizational structure, including major characteristics, funding sources, focus (i.e., development or relief), motivation, and purposes and goals. Part two presents an analysis of African needs based on the perceptions of PVO staff leaders, many of whom have considerable experience in and knowledge of Africa. Included in this section is an analysis of needs which PVO"s cannot address and of factors influencing PVO effectiveness. The types of activities which PVO"s support, the ways in which they assist development projects, and patterns of project aid are defined in part three. Part four discusses program priorities, including: patterns, levels, and targets of expenditures; development concepts (e.g., small is beautiful); and methods for evaluating and replicating projects. Finally, PVO response to the African famine and development crises (for which PVO"s may be most widely known) is described. The report concludes that the range of talent and sense of community of U.S. PVO"s offers hope for the forging of more and stronger ties between the American and African peoples.