The German Development Service (DED) is one of the leading European development services for personnel secondment. It was founded in 1963 and is funded by the Federal Republic of Germany. Since then, more than 15 000 technical advisors have committed themselves to improve the living conditions of people in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Almost 1200 technical advisor are currently working in 47 countries. Their aims are to fight poverty, to promote self-determined and sustainable development and to preserve natural resources.