Technology assessment and developing countries

The assessment of technologies may be of great importance to developing countries in their present process of industrialization in the framework of the New International Economic Order. The main criteria for the assessment of the technologies most relevant to the needs of developing countries are reviewed from the point of view of employment, scarce capital, and energy resources. The design of appropriate technologies should take into account the tastes, culture, needs, purchasing power, and raw materials available in developing countries. A systems approach should therefore be used to assess technologies. The programs undertaken by several agencies of the United Nations System are described which may contribute to build up technology assessment capability in developing countries.