The OEEOs will provide public works training in highly diversified areas. Employees ranging from those in entry-level jobs through executive positions can take advantage of the OEEOs’ hands-on telecommunications, transportation, electric power, water/wastewater and environmental training programs. The OEEOs will also provide knowledgeable and experienced instructors to train people across the nation in areas such as electric power safety training, border protection, and detailed transportation engineering concepts. The proposed OEEOs will be recognized for their customized skills in training that meet customers’ specific needs at any training location. Additionally, OEEOs can develop advanced mobile training units which can train employees in their working environment, ensuring a better trained workforce at significant financial savings. The OEEOs will be able to raise additional in-country funds to leverage U.S. funds to sustain their mission in the long term. The OEEOs will be readily recognized because of their impact on the communities and people by providing better access to a clean environment, energy resources, skilled work force, and governmental services.
Visitors and Volunteers Program
The OEEOs will extend their capabilities and outreach by soliciting the help of retired American citizens to volunteer to spend extended periods of time (ranging from six months to a year) in developing countries. During their missions, the volunteers will have the chance to spend part of their time engaging with the local public, private, and NGOs sectors. The volunteers should possess extensive skills and background that would help the development of different governmental and public sectors in foreign countries. The volunteer program will be managed as a private enterprise, where the private, public and NGOs sectors in the foreign countries will be responsible for the accommodation of the visitors. The volunteer program would not replace or compete with the U.S. Peace Corp. The major difference is that the volunteer program would solicit the services of the retired and experienced citizens to support specific projects under the umbrella of the OEEOs. The main objectives of this program are
- Cultural exchange between the west and the east. The visitors will interact closely with many local citizens on a personal level. These close interactions will greatly help with a better understanding of the local citizens and the visitor’s cultures. This firsthand knowledge will enlighten the U.S. public and help them to support their governments in executing their international polices. The close relationship between different cultures will help promote peace and reduce conflicts.
- Bridge between civilizations. The OEEOs visitors program will be part of the overall activities that serve as a bridge between different civilizations and will help attract foreign funds for local economic growth. The OEEOs will integrate the U.S. and European activities in the countries of interest.
- Small business growth. The OEEOs program will support the growth of small business companies overseas that would accelerate the growth of private sectors.
- Knowledge base and technology transfer. The OEEOs will provide the base for knowledge and technology transfer.
In summary, the establishment of OEEOs will assist the developing nations selected to participate in the program, enhance the U.S. government’s reputation in those nations and foster the process of democratization.
Acknowledgment
The author would like to express his great appreciation to Dr. Dennis Morrison, Director of the Institute for Engineering Research and Applications (IERA) and Mr. David William Associate Director of the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) for their valuable input and discussion. Also the author cordially appreciates the thorough review, comments, and addition of Dr. Daniel Lopez, president of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMIMT).
