The developing countries of the world represent a new environment in which to apply the unique expertise and knowledge of emergency medicine. With an understanding of the cultural, political and economic forces that affect health care in developing countries, American emergency physicians should consider collaboration with their counterparts in developing countries in such areas as prehospital care systems, trauma care, disaster management, poison information and management systems, and education related to clinical services, administration, and research methods in emergency medicine. Such collaboration can broaden the field of emergency medicine and fulfill individual humanitarian goals.