In this paper, one of a series of Unesco technical reports, the author examines the idea of "technical cooperation among developing countries" (TCDC) and how it might lead to a "new international economic order" (NIEO). The first part of the paper contains a short history of TCDC. TCDC is seen by many as a self-help cooperative venture restricted to the participation of the developing nations themselves. However, if the substantive content of TCDC continues to be in the scientific and technological areas only, as it has so far and as it is discussed in the Kuwait Declaration, then advances in cooperation among developing countries will almost certainly remain subject to the dominance of developed countries. As to the viability of TCDC, the author states that under present circumstances, TCDC cannot but remain a partial strategy toward a NIEO. It is unrealistic to expect poor countries to invest much enthusiasm in an aspect of NIEO which sometimes has been called the "sharing of poverty." When considering Unesco's capabilities and potential for educational contributions to technical cooperation among poor countries, the author recommends it continue to use the regional conferences, networks, seminars, and offices which have long been instrumental in the exchange of information and experiences among countries facing similar obstacles to improving their conditions. (Author/RM)