Dr. Cyril Belshaw interview - Podcast #78

Cuso International

Sep 30 2009

From Ian Smillie's book - The Land of Lost Content

"CUSO's involvement with the Kampuchean refugees began almost by accident, as had its involvement in Thailand during the 1960's: as in other countries, too, CUSO's work in the 'Land of Smiles' originated with one ofthe men involved in the founding of CUSO: Dr. Cyril Belshaw. Director of the Regional Training Centre for the United Nations at The University of British Columbia in 1960, Belshaw was actively involved in the President's Committee for a Canadian Overseas Student Service. Thorough contacts with Lewis Perinbaum and Francis Leddy, he attended the first planning meeting in March 1961 to discuss the idea of a national organization. The following June, at the founding meeting in Montreal, Belshaw seconded the motion which led to the first draft constitution of CUSO. In 1965, however , he was in Thailand , working with the United Nations Technical assistance Board in Bangkok. Seeing the British and American volunteers at work, and aware of the country's manpower gas, he wrote to Ottawa, suggesting that CUSO investigate program possibilities."

Darlene Gage who has recently returned from service in Uganda joined me for this interview.

Dr. Belshaw won the Utopian World Championship in 2004. Photo from the booklet of the awards ceremony. It appears that Dr. Belshaw continues to think of International Development. This was an enlightening meeting.

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