UN General Assembly
1949

17. The Netherlands Government felt that the activities of the United Nations and the specialized agencies in the field of technical assistance had given rise to fresh hope for effective co-operation which might lead to better living conditions for millions of people in under-developed territories and to a better understanding among the peoples of the world. The problem of the underdeveloped areas was a complex one. Mr. Stikker would not touch upon the economic and financial sides of the question, as the Netherlands would be unable, at least for the time being, to contribute much to that end. He did, however, wish to draw the attention of the Assembly to the vast possibilities and scope of the Netherlands universities and technical schools, which yearly turned out a number of well trained technicians. Many technicians were therefore available for work in countries which could profit by, for instance, their vast knowledge of tropical agriculture.