Do you have an interest in communicating with a foreign planning organization, but are inhibited by a lack of information as to who and where these contacts can be made? The International Planning Organizations directory is a compilation of over 600 international planning agencies, associations, institutes and societies.
Computer word processing software is now available for less than $100 which translates from English to French, German, Italian and Spanish with more languages in process. It helps to have some understanding of the language or someone to review the computer translation. For example, the sentence "If you feel your members would..." was translated by the computer as "When you are feeling your members..."
An excellent source of direct international information is Multinewspapers (P.O. Box 866, Dana Point, California 92629 USA) which provides English newspapers from around the world.
A final reminder about English: the "King's English" spoken internationally is not the same as the American version we know. The differences vary from simple spelling (i.e. organisation, programme, and so on) to word usage and concepts. Question your usage of plannerese*, acronyms, abbreviations, and any other language patterns which may not be easily understood.
If in doubt or officials name. Do not assume gender, or the English equivalent to a foreign title. For example Secretariat Irmtraut Fleming is not equivalent to Secretary Irmtraut Fleming or Mr. Fleming. Secretariat is often closer to "director" in meaning, and Irmtraut is a female name. Also note, in many Asian countries the first name is the surname...
Under typical circumstances expect a reply no sooner than 3 weeks after writing. Even this amount of time does not allow for environmental/sociopolitical turmoil (remember, mail wasn't delivered in Los Angeles during the 1992 riots). If the organization has moved or disbanded, correspondence will probably not be returned. A final note: always send via air mail, unless you like your correspondence to match the changing of the seasons. A postcard from French Polynesia took two months...
The directory has many telephone numbers, and overseas operators may be able to locate those not listed. Many overseas planning organizations also have a fax number. To dial overseas direct, start with the overseas number 011; the country code (shown in the directory after the plus sign); the city number (shown in the directory in parentheses); and the local number. For example Auckland, New Zealand is 011 overseas, +64 country (9) city, and seven digit number. For information, dial 00 for international assistance. Remember the time difference--Germany, for example, is 9 hours "later" than Pacific Standard, and if you call at 8am, their staff will most likely already be on the Autobahn going home. Some countries have international operators only during their business hours.
Most of the world is metric, and since there is little likelihood of everyone converting to our peculiar system of yards, tablespoons, etc., it would be helpful to provide metric equivalents to any measurements discussed. (Note: Federal funded projects will be required in metric in 1995)
Video formats are not equivalent and cannot be exchanged with many countries. The United States use NTSC, but most European countries use PAL format, and there are numerous countries using SECAM. Some photography retail stores offer international conversion at about $25 per hour of digital conversion.
Even foreign stationery is different: about 8.2" by 11.7" [20x30cm].
Typical costs for overseas mail varies from less than a dollar for letters to about $2.50 for lightweight documents. Virtually all post offices have computer terminals which calculate the exact postage for each country. To my knowledge, there is no country which does not accept U.S. mail. Although not a significant problem for most correspondence, the U.S. Postal Service warns that for some destinations, mail is occasionally stolen for sale to stamp collectors. With the "Elvis" postage stamp, stealing may be a serious threat to world-wide correspondence. You should be aware that some countries also routinely inspect mail and may remove "politically incorrect" material or censure correspondence.
The International Planning Organizations© directory also includes various listings for the Internet. If you have a personal, agency or company computer with a modem, there are many services providing connection to the "information highway."
When purchasing materials from overseas, many countries will accept bank cheques or charge cards. Europe will probably convert to a standard currency within a few years. Pounds, francs, marks, and other currency will be discarded in favor of the "ecu" (European Currency Unit). Until then, consult the business section of the newspaper for foreign exchange rates which vary daily. Many countries use similar denominations with wildly different values-- the Hong Kong "dollar" is worth about US 13¢. You may also wish to check with your bank prior to releasing your credit card number. Some common foreign monetary symbols include £ for British Pound; ¥ for Japanese Yen; and DM for German Mark.
The intent of this publication is to promote international communication among individual planners as well as between organizations. You can contribute to an international understanding of planning concepts through the exchange of information with other planners. Please consider sending planning articles, newsletters, magazines, documents, tapes, and so on. The information highway should not be a one-way street.
If you are surprised that there are planners in the Czech Republic and Trinidad, you will be equally amazed by the fact that their concerns and interests are very similar to ours. They (and we) are not so foreign after all.
For further information on international communication, please see Do's and Taboos Around the World by Roger E. Axtell (Wiley 1993). This informative and entertaining book covers the spectrum of foreign communication, protocol, customs, etiquette and sources of help.
For further information regarding overseas careers, the International Division of the American Planning Association (Institute of Public Administration, 55 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10016) publishes Career Opportunities for American Planners in International Development ($10).
The International Planning Organizations directory is revised monthly-- please help keep it current by providing revisions and additions. If there is a particular organization you are interested in, please call. There may be information on file, or I may have sources which would be of help.
Wishing you well in all your international efforts,
Richard B. Stephens, Director of Planning
KEITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
22690 Cactus Avenue, Suite 300
Moreno Valley, California 92553 USA
Tel (909) 653-0234 Fax (909) 653-5308
E-mail <netzwerk@ix.netcom.com>
The International Planning Organizations directory is available from Keith International, Inc. for US $10 postpaid.
* The Plannerese Dictionary is a compilation of hundreds of humorous and unique planning terms such as BANANA (Build Absolutely Nothing Anytime Near Anything) and zygocephalum... Copies are available from The Keith Companies for US $7 postpaid.