DED Annual General Meeting 2009

The German Development Service (DED) is one of the leading European development services for personnel secondment. It was founded in 1963 and is funded by the Federal Republic of Germany. Since then, more than 15 000 technical advisors have committed themselves to improve the living conditions of people in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Almost 1200 technical advisor are currently working in 47 countries. Their aims are to fight poverty, to promote self-determined and sustainable development and to preserve natural resources. DED technical advisors are contracted for a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years.

On the basis of bilateral agreements with the governments of partner countries, DED places technical advisors at the request of organisations in these countries. Technical advisors are professionally experienced and socially committed specialists who mainly support local civil organisations and municipal structures in an advisory capacity and support the implementation of interventions. Where necessary the deployment of technical advisors can be accompanied by financial support. By increasing the promotion of local skilled staff, DED also contributes to capacity building for self-determined and sustainable development.

The DED has the legal form of a non-profit-making, limited liability company owned jointly by the Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the NGO "Learning and Helping Overseas".