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OBJECTIVES, POLICY AND LONG-TERM PLANNING OF THE FOUNDATION DEMOTECH

1. Prime objective
   1. The further development of self-reliance as a better option for present-day third-world support activities.
   2. Research on self-reliance, the way it can be done, and the transfer of the specific knowledge to those who apply for it.
2. Economic objective
   Acquiring funds for:
   1. Sponsoring/financing of projects with which can be shown that local development can be assisted with external self-help information
   2. Sponsoring/financing of research on self-reliance, to increase the present amount of relevant knowledge.
   3. Sponsoring/financing of knowledge transfer-projects; 'how can it be done': making of manual, teaching tools, instruction video's
3. Principal criteria for DEMOTECH activities
   1. Necessary level of investment affordable by the target-group during the process of implementation;
   2. Project implementation only by teaching: the external input is restricted to transfer of information.
4. Policy
   1. Innovation and development of locally to be made tools, useful for acquiring basis needs. This after a request for assistance or as a result of a DEMOTECH-initiative (possibly in cooperation with other organizations).
   2. Development of teaching aids for making these tools and information about their use.
   3. Development of a method of AT knowledge-transfer. Knowledge-transfer (see 3.1.)
   4. Evaluation of the methods and technics concerning 1,2 and 3.
   5. Directing the results of 1,2 and 3 as a politically oriented vision to a broader audience. (integrating in educational programs)
   6. Integration of activities 1,2,3,4, and 5 in the form of action-research.
   7. Development of a working-routine within DEMOTECH, as a result of which the necessary activities support each other and can be executed as much integrated as possible.
5. Objective of DEMOTECH-activities
   1. Product- and system-innovation and further development directed on water supply. Improvement of 'sanitation', like pumps and bathroom-toilet units for family use. Manufacturing of other craft products such as small furniture and small-scale transport.\\
   2. Instruction-material designed for the users of 1), such as illustrated manuals, scale-models, and videotape instructions.
   3. Working-methods and means of assistance for the support of projects directed at the introduction of products and systems referred to under 1).
      As examples could be mentioned the Demotech projection tracing and drawing tables, the Demotech exhibition unit and the Demotech stenciler.
      The Demotech 'Mobile Training Unit' can be used as a means of introducing these methods.
6. Evaluation
   Evaluation of 1,2 and 3 is directed on monitoring the factual results in the field:
   1. the amount of spreading of the offered AT over the implementation area;
   2. the value for its users; the quality of the 'knowledge transfer'.
   3. monitoring the process of further development of the offered AT-products by the end-users themselves for possible adjustment of Demotech designs and Demotech design-criteria (the user as the designer).
7. Presenting the results
   1. To Third-world development experts (in dialogue)
   2. To provide outsiders a clear insight in the possibilities of a socio-economic alternative.
      Means of assistance for presenting these issues are:
      • Demonstration-models, pictures and video's of DEMOTECH designs and working methods, at the DEMOTECH-laboratory in Maastrcht.
      • Training-lessons, developed to provide groups of visitors literally with the experience of how the models and methods and linked knowledge-transfer work in practice.
      • Mobile demonstration-units and an exhibition about the DEMOTECH-objectives and results over the years. This material can be borrowed by third parties.
      • Publications, lectures and workshops and contributions to publications and activities of third-parties who also are operating in the field of the third-world development.