Arthur Shears

Born in the small mining community of Glace Bay in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, Arthur developed an early interest in geography and history. Heading to university in Halifax, he intended to study medicine after completing his first degree. Instead, he opted to become a volunteer in Africa. It was an experience that changed his life.

He undertook a variety of roles after that ranging from CUSO volunteer program coordinator in Ghana, to senior expert with the International Telecommunications Union in Saudi Arabia, to distance education consultant at the University of the West Indies, and many more including latterly team leader on a project in Malawi with UNESCO. In fact, Arthur worked with a total of five UN agencies.

Have you ever wanted to be a volunteer and work in Africa or Asia? Or maybe join the United Nations and help solve problems, whether they be hunger, lack of education, poor health or unemployment. His memoir describes just such experiences spanning the period from 1971 to 2021.