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M. M. B. EL-BEGEARMI, Food Safety & Quality Program/Nutrition Education Program, Univ. of Maine Cooperative Extension, 5717 Corbett Hall, Orono, ME 04473-5717 The main objective of these activities is to promote sustainable development by providing expertise and services that improve food resources for health and agriculture. Most of the participants are volunteers, but some are also consultants. Major programs include managing USAID's Global Trade & Technology Network, working in collaboration with host countries’ agribusiness enterprises, governmental and nongovernmental agencies. Experts transfer their skills and knowledge to small- and medium-sized enterprises, governments, nongovernmental organizations, and business support organizations in emerging democracies and under-developing countries. To implement these projects USAID collaborates with a number of US organizations, including: ACDI/VOCA, Alliance for African Assistance, Citizens Development Corps, Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs, Compatible Technology International, International Executive Service Corps, Interns for Peace, Inc., Land O’Lakes Inc., Mercy Ships, Partnership for the Environment, and Samaritan’s Purse. The collaborative projects are operational in several areas of Africa, Asia and the Near East, Europe and Eurasia, Latin American and the Caribbean. For host countries, the transfer of the specialists’ skills and knowledge are resources hard to come by, expensive or both. The benefits are immediate and long lasting. Economic development is the sure way to improve people’s lives and provide social stability especially after natural disaster or war. For participating outreach experts, the experience gained professionally and the genuine appreciation expressed by those on the receiving end is priceless. For all of us here in the U.S., a stable world is a stable market for our products and its spin off is more jobs and a better standard of living, and best of all promoting world peace. A peaceful world is better for everyone.
Session 43, International outreach through global partnerships
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