Global Scope at the National Level: The ITU's Contributions to Telecommunications Development

The International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) work that is oriented towards the needs of developing countries is described. This work is explained as one of two kinds of technical cooperation; the other kind corresponds to the ITU's traditional function as coordinator and standards-maker for international working of telecommunication services. It is shown how these two kinds of technical cooperation both aid each other and compete with each other for funds, top-level organizational attention, and provision of expert manpower. The growth and diversity of cooperative activities for the benefit of developing countries is reviewed in some detail. Numerous examples of handbook-writing and special national or regional projects are given. It is concluded that the ITU exhibits two faces, one directed toward the highly developed country, another toward the developing country in need of help. Maintaining a judicious balance in support of these two personalities represents a challenge to the ITU as a whole, and to its Permanent Organs in particular.