The educational system in Nepal trains architects, engineers, and planners to think big and build big structures. Many of these technical professionals are engaged in profit making business. They are not taught to work for the poor and with the poor. Many professionals, professional organizations, and technical institutions fail to realize that slums and squatters are parts of urban entity and sources of informal sector that provides urban services for a city to function. Therefore, it is very important to improve the lives of slum dwellers to ensure that they live with dignity and pride in the society together with their well to do counterparts.

 

There is need for like-minded professionals to work together as a network to address these growing needs of the poor. Thus, Pro-poor Technical Assistance Group (PTAG) is formed as a collective platform for professionals to facilitate information sharing, discussion and coordination among themselves, professional organizations, academic institutes and other relevant stakeholders on various urban issues and organize themselves to address the technical requirements of the poor.

 

The ultimate goal of PTAG is to promote community-led processes and provide technical assistance to pro-poor group/programs that can lead to urban poor community development, which will be instrumental to spread awareness among the professional societies.

 

The network is an open platform for all technical professionals interested to engage in pro-poor development initiatives to participate and contribute to its activities carried out within the framework of its objectives. PTAG members meet first Saturday of every English month to discuss on various urban issues, share their experiences, and find the way forward.