Dr. Victor Hsu is a visiting professor in the Master of Public Policy in Economic Development (MPP/ED) program of the KDI School. His fall semester lectures cover topics such as development assistance and the role of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Dr. Hsu hails from Taiwan and served as National Director for World Vision DPRK (The Democratic People''s Republic of Korea), having led relief works on North Korea, South East Asia, Africa, Iraq, and so forth. He has been engaging in the provision of humanitarian aid in the DPRK since the middle of the 1990s and working at World Vision as a mediator among the UN, American government, and Congress on many issues that developing countries face. He is one of the few that can teach courses pertaining to the structuring, planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating development aid drawing from his own experiences. Dr. Hsu is a theorist who emphasizes self-help, a new approach in development cooperation. He stresses identifying the root of poverty and promoting ways to overcome it by building self-help within the local people in developing countries. His teaching is expected to help set the groundwork for establishing a systematized curriculum for NGOs as well as for ensuring their internal stability, providing a greater understanding to those interested in international NGOs.

When I went to his office to interview him, he welcomed me even in the midst of his busy schedule. He said that it has been stimulating for him to teach at the KDI School because he has to build the framework for the course and determine his students'' English levels and their understanding of the material. He seems to be enjoying the teaching process, although he is still adapting to his new life in Korea and struggling with some inconveniences. I asked him what guidelines students should follow if they want to work for international organizations. He emphasized the importance of improving one''s English speaking ability, which will be necessary for clear articulation of opinions and effective facilitation of various tasks.

He also emphasized that the students must thoroughly research the culture, practice, priorities, and experiences of the organization to which they are applying. For example, students should not expect to be provided with a high income at an NGO. In order to minimize disappointment, it is very important to make sure they are a good fit for the organization they are interested in. Finally, individuals who would like to work for international organizations should learn to broaden their overall perspectives. Dr. Hsu provided several suggestions to achieve this. Firstly, they may choose to travel around the world in order to gain a better understanding of the diverse perspectives of people in different countries. Secondly, he recommended that students attend international conferences, especially the ones held in the south of the globe. One''s thoughts and views can be further expanded thereby. Lastly, he advised students to take on volunteer work in developing nations. It will certainly provide students with connections, and these connections may secure opportunities to work for international organizations. In fact, it is very hard to find a chance to be involved in international organizations unless you are working as a government official. He also did not forget to advise the Korean government to regularly post notices on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) regarding NGO meetings that are open to the general public. In regards to the development of Korean NGOs, he especially emphasized that they must take on a more active attitude. Attending various NGO meetings held world-wide and building networks is crucial, but Korean NGOs have not been participating in such international events as much. They also have to study English in order to communicate well internationally; otherwise, getting information and claiming needs will be very limited. Most of all, Korean NGOs need to have a set agenda and learn how to manage the NGO as an organization. The concept of the NGO is quite new to Koreans, so they are not very well trained to run their organization as effectively. Therefore, it is important that they are educated in the area, actively attend NGO meetings, and draw applicable lessons from other successfully operating NGOs with a longer history.

Since Korea became a member of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in 2009, the role of NGOs is becoming moreimportant. The Korean government and agencies are also looking to cooperate withthem more closely as well. It can thus be said that it is high time for KDI school students to learn about NGO, a relatively new and often elusive concept, from a renowned practitioner. Dr. Hsu''s teaching will help students not only understand NGOs in a global context but also get equipped with a right attitude and perspectives to work for international organizations in the future.

By Mikyung Byun (2010 MPP/ED, Korea)