Overview

Distant Echoes: A Memoir of Life, Love, and Service recalls the events in the lives of Jaime M. Cortes and his family as he served as the Adviser and Expert for developing countries in Africa and Asia for the International Labor Organization of the United Nations from 1974 through 1995. It recounts the political upheavals and violence in the changing environment of Third World countries in Africa and Asia and the physical dangers that Cortes and his family faced as he continued to navigate the censorship and complex political and cultural realities of developing nations. Distant Echoes brings back Mr. Cortes' struggle as a young man to earn an education and his exciting first years of professional service in his home country, the Philippines, before joining the United Nations. Cortes details his military service as a commissioned officer in his position as chief of police providing security services for visiting heads of state, royals, and dignitaries as they visited the University of the Philippines. These early experiences then gave him a foundation for dealing with the issues and problems that arose in his work as a UN Advisor (1974-1995) and for his two pioneering programs, Small Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Development (SEED) at the East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, and the University of the Philippines, Institute for Small-Scale Industries, which became the centerpiece of his work in developing countries (1964 - 1974). Marcela, Mr. Cortes' devoted and supportive wife, is featured throughout his memoir as the anchor that helped him and their three daughters endure the challenges of expatriate life in the midst of chaos in the unknown world of ancient societies. Mr. Cortes writes eloquently about her uncompromising love that generated the impetus and energy for organizing new homes that his family needed as they moved from one country to another, as one posting ended and another began, paying a moving tribute to her as the wise, inspiring Lady-of-the-House behind his success.

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Reviews

Cortes uncovers the inside story of doing good on a global level with this account of his work in the field for the UN. Wrapped in the love and support of his family, he survives war and political intrigue to lead us to discover and understand Africa and the world in new and compassionate ways. Sylvia E. Halloran, Writer and Educator I have always known Jaime Cortes for some 40 years as a colleague in the International Development Agency. His first class professional output is extremely efficient, highly effective, and fully respected by all who are involved with him. I continue to respect his contribution to management and entrepreneurship development. Professor Philip A. Neck, PhD, United Nations, International Labour Organization Head, Management and Entrepreneurship Development, SCUA Jaime Cortes is one of our unsung heroes who silently worked for the empowerment of poor people in Africa and Asia. The International Labor Organization of the United Nations recognized his expertise and supported his groundbreaking work of introducing Small Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Development in Africa. This pioneering work was recognized by other international agencies and NGOs with advocacies for the unreachable of mankind. Cortes is a powerful visionary who stepped up into the future well ahead of the majority of us. Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno (ret.), Supreme Court of the Philippines Jaime Cortes was my inspiration and mentor from the beginning of my career over 30 years ago. His influence on my work in Africa and Asia for various United Nations agencies and the European Commission continues to this day. Jaime's teachings on ensuring that we consider the socio-economic and political context in which development takes place have been particularly important. Mei Zegers, PhD, Senior International Development Consultant From the late 1960's to the early 1970's, Jaime Cortes has been using the word entrepreneur and the concept of entrepreneurship even before these have become ubiquitous in economic, social, and developmental circles throughout the Philippines, Asia, and Africa. His pioneering work is a precious addition to entrepreneurship development, and influential in changing the mindset of politicians, economists, and academicians from encouraging dole-outs to equal opportunity in financial growth, independence and appropriate risk-taking. Paz H. Diaz, PhD, Board Secretary, Small Enterprises Research and Development Foundation (SERDEF)

Author Information

Jaime M. Cortes served 20 years as the Chief Technical Advisor and Expert for developing countries in Africa and Asia for the International Labor Organization (ILO) of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. He was also the principal strategist launching Small Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Development (SEED) programs aimed at employment generation for out of school youth. He served as consultant to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Director of the International Convention for Small Business Development at the East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. In addition to his international experience, Mr. Cortes made significant contributions in the Philippines in founding the Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP), as Chair and Training Specialist, at the University of the Philippines, Institute for Small-Scale industries (UPI SSI). He likewise authored and pioneered the institutionalization of EDP in the Philippines in 1973-1974. Mr. Cortes began his career as a commissioned officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and subsequently became Chief of the Police Department and Security Services of the University of the Philippines.

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