History

PSO was founded in 1985. In that year, Stichting JVC (Jongeren Vrijwilligers Corps) and the Vereniging OPIT (Vereniging Overleg Particulier Initiatief Tropenartsen) merged.

Both organisations specialised in seconding experts to developing countries. Stichting JVC seconded various professional groups such as, teachers, nurses and community social workers.

Vereniging OPIT focused on a single, specific group: tropical doctors. The new organisation's name was: Vereniging voor Personele Samenwerking met Ontwikkelingslanden [Association for Staff Cooperation with Developing Countries] otherwise known as the Vereniging PSO [PSO Association] for short.

The 1990s

In the 1990s, the young organisation underwent tumultuous growth. Secondments increased and the number of employees tripled. The agency's professionalisation also made rapid advances: the service around the secondments was computerised. The second half of the 1990s was characterised by the strong growth of the number of member organisations.

After 2002

From 2002 onwards, Vereniging PSO's work changed. From secondments, the focus shifted to the capacity development of social organisations in the South. The founding of the Kenniscentrum [Knowledge Centre] in 2003 stimulated learning within the association. Up to the present day, PSO still focuses on the quality of its members capacity developing activities, the input of expertise from the South and the exchange of knowledge and learning.