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Senior Experts: Key to sustainable development aid in Vienna!
On February 4, 2025, experts in Vienna discussed the role of senior experts in development cooperation and their influence on global projects.
Senior Experts: Key to sustainable development aid in Vienna!
Vienna, February 4, 2025 – The importance of experienced volunteers for development cooperation is the focus of a current specialist conference in Vienna. At the Palais Coburg, Reinhard Heiserer, board member of the “Jugend Eine Welt Foundation”, emphasized that senior experts are a valuable resource in the Global South. These experienced professionals not only come back with extensive knowledge, but also act as ambassadors for the people they work with. “Senior Experts are people who see their work not just as a job, but also as a calling,” explained Brother Lothar Wagner, a long-time project partner in West Africa, and praised the combined use of knowledge and experience. Around 15 senior experts currently support projects in Africa, Latin America and Asia every year, with collaboration taking place on an equal footing.
Sustainable development through expertise
The collaboration between experienced volunteers and local partners is a central aspect for effective development work. According to reports from “Jugend Eine Welt”, the Austrian development organization has been relying more on this model since 2016 by sending qualified volunteers to important projects. This occurs as part of a strategic alliance between foundations, development organizations and other partners to jointly overcome organizational, educational and economic challenges.
In addition, German Senior Experts (GSE) offers comprehensive consulting and training services for companies that do business abroad. With over 40 years of experience in working with the Global South, they help German companies to optimally prepare their employees for stays abroad. These initiatives show how important it is to bring not only specialist knowledge but also cultural understanding into development projects in order to achieve a sustainable impact.
This dual responsibility - both in development cooperation and in corporate consulting - illustrates the growing relevance of senior experts in international cooperation and puts their role at the center of discussions about future development aid.