Acknowledgements

GATE is not only the name of this quarterly. It also stands for German Appropriate Technology Exchange, founded in 1978 as a special division (Division 4020) of the government-owned Deutsche Gesellschaft fhnische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), German Agency for Technical Cooperation.

Tasks

GATE defines "appropriate technologies" as those which appear particularly apposite in the light of economic, social and cultural criteria.

They should contribute to socioeconomic development whilst ensuring optimal utilization of resources and minimal detriment to the environment.

Depending on the case at hand a traditional intermediate or highly-developed technology can be the "appropriate" one.

Activities

GATE focusses its work on the following areas:

· Technology Dissemination: Information and Advisory Service on Appropriate Technology (ISAT) provides a wide range of information and consultancy services relating to every aspect of adaption and dissemination of technologies, which help satisfy basic needs, make efficient and environmentally sound use of locally available resources, mobilise existing skills as well as promote self-help and extend the scope of the user and promote independent action.

AT-Small-Scale Activities Project (KPF): The Project aims to support pilot solutions that can be used as models, and demonstrate these with a view to putting into practice appropriate technological solutions.

· Environmental Protection: The growing importance of ecology and environmental protection requires better coordination and harmonization of projects. In order to tackle these tasks more effectively, a coordination centre was set up within GATE in 1985.

Service

GATE offers a free information service on appropriate technologies for all public and private development institutions in developing countries dealing with the development, adaption application and introduction of technology.

German Appropriate Technology Exchange
Centro Alempara Tecnologias Apropiadas Centre allemand d'inter-technologie appropriBR>Post Box 5180
D-65726
Eschborn
Federal Republic of Germany