NGO's and Their Role in Developing World
NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) are nongovernmental bodies dedicated to improving society. Their primary activities include disaster relief, poverty alleviation, environmental protection and human rights promotion among others.
However, their effectiveness, accountability and legitimacy have come under question; many also engage in questionable practices and agendas.
Evil Social Practices
Since the late 1970s, NGOs have become an increasingly prominent factor in international development, often filling gaps created by governments failing to meet the needs of their poorest citizens in Third World nations. Their unique strategies of empowerment through self-help, community involvement and participatory development make them particularly suitable for new approaches of international aid.
NGO are one of the primary channels through which donor funds reach remote and vulnerable populations, yet are sometimes criticised as well. A hearing held in 1989 by the US House Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Agriculture Research, and Environment regarding construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam on India's Narmada River raised concerns over NGO pressure to demonstrate poverty-relief impacts of projects co-financed by governments.
Nonprofits typically secure funding via membership dues, the sale of goods and services, grants from international institutions or national governments, CSR funds or direct donations from individuals - these sources allow NGOs to appear independent from both government and business while being heavily influenced by donors.
NGOs and Development
Since the global association revolution of the last three decades, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have emerged as key actors in providing disaster relief, humanitarian aid and development projects. Their appeal lies in being flexible decision makers with lower corruption levels than governments while working closely with local populations for increased participation and community empowerment.
Any group of people can form an NGO and operate it anywhere around the world, choosing its own mission and depending on donations, grants and membership dues as funding. Furthermore, an NGO doesn't need to incorporate itself but can instead obtain tax-exempt status under any U.S. state's laws.
People may form nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) as a way to challenge democratic governments, while others might do it because states and markets don't meet their needs. But how can NGOs fulfill them best? Researchers from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management conducted a study analyzing NGO involvement in villages in Africa. Their researchers discovered that crowding out government institutions will negatively impact villagers, while improving those institutions will make everyone better off, with members of nondominant parties especially benefiting.
NGOs and Politics
NGO's are often celebrated for their smaller bureaucracies and more efficient decision-making processes as well as their capacity to mobilize and engage society. NGOs may operate as independent organizations dedicated to social change or as part of global hierarchies or loose networks with shared issues or interests.
But can NGOs live up to their lofty aspirations? Dean Karlan, an economics professor at Northwestern's Kellogg School and codirector of the Center for Research on Poverty and Development, examined one NGO studied by him and Nancy Qian: a "participatory development" organization which built community-run institutions for aid distribution; its nonpartisan nature meant it avoided favoritism while reaching those most in need without crowding out government services--particularly members of a nondominant party--while providing assistance--without crowding out government institutions or hurting those relying upon such services; could this NGO achieve its high aspirations without crowding out government institutions while reaching those most in need without crowding out government institutions--particularly members belonging to nondominant parties-?
NGOs and Collaboration
Companies and NGOs are increasingly teaming up to align their business models with social responsibility and build long-term relationships. Successful collaborations rely on mutual respect and open dialogue; one such example of this trend can be found in Aviva's partnership with British Red Cross which allowed it to recognize and understand the strain experienced by flood victims when filing claims for compensation.
NGO are often seen as more efficient than government entities, with smaller bureaucracies and faster decision-making processes. But their actions often fall short of intended developmental results due to agendas, self-interests and ideologies standing in their way.
Due to global economic, social and environmental challenges that require increased multi-stakeholder involvement and collaboration, multi-stakeholder participation is increasingly necessary and welcome. No longer is a single group capable of representing civil society as a whole - this positive development ushers in an exciting new model for achieving sustainable world development.
