An Analysis on Enhance Reading and Effect of Non-Government Organizations In Capacity Improvement
Exploring the Role and Scope of NGOs in Capacity Building
by Nisar U*,
- Published in Journal of Advances and Scholarly Researches in Allied Education, E-ISSN: 2230-7540
Volume 2, Issue No. 1, Jul 2011, Pages 0 - 0 (0)
Published by: Ignited Minds Journals
ABSTRACT
Manydiverse types of bodies are now described as being NGOs. There is no generallyaccepted definition of an NGO and the term carries different connotations indifferent circumstances. Nevertheless, there are some fundamental features.Clearly an NGO must be independent from the direct control of any government.In addition, there are three other generally accepted characteristics thatexclude particular types of bodies from consideration. An NGO will not beconstituted as a political party; it will be non-profit making and it will benot be a criminal group, in particular it will be non-violent. Thesecharacteristics apply in general usage, because they match the conditions forrecognition by the United Nations. The boundaries can sometimes be blurred:some NGOs may in practice be closely identified with a political party; manyNGOs generate income from commercial activities, notably consultancy contractsor sales of publications; and a small number of NGOs may be associated withviolent political protests. Nevertheless, an NGO is never constituted as agovernment bureaucracy, a party, a company, a criminal organization or aguerrilla group. Thus, for this article, an NGO is defined as an independentvoluntary association of people acting together on a continuous basis, for somecommon purpose, other than achieving government office, making money or illegalactivities. This basic approach will be elaborated and modified below.
KEYWORD
NGOs, definition, independent, government control, non-profit, non-violent, political party, commercial activities, income, consultancy contracts
INTRODUCTION
Many diverse types of bodies are now described as being NGOs. There is no generally accepted definition of an NGO and the term carries different connotations in different circumstances. Nevertheless, there are some fundamental features. Clearly an NGO must be independent from the direct control of any government. In addition, there are three other generally accepted characteristics that exclude particular types of bodies from consideration. An NGO will not be constituted as a political party; it will be non-profit making and it will be not be a criminal group, in particular it will be non-violent. These characteristics apply in general usage, because they match the conditions for recognition by the United Nations. The boundaries can sometimes be blurred: some NGOs may in practice be closely identified with a political party; many NGOs generate income from commercial activities, notably consultancy contracts or sales of publications; and a small number of NGOs may be associated with violent political protests. Nevertheless, an NGO is never constituted as a government bureaucracy, a party, a company, a criminal organization or a guerrilla group. Thus, for this article, an NGO is defined as an independent voluntary association of people acting together on a continuous basis, for some common purpose, other than achieving government office, making money or illegal activities. This basic approach will be elaborated and modified below. If the analysis is being conducted by external facilitators it is vital that they meet with the leadership of the NGO to find out basic information about the organization. A good understanding of the organization will help the facilitation team to ask relevant, probing and sensitive questions during the assessment process, and thus help the NGO to find out more about itself. If the analysis is being conducted internally, it may also be worth developing an organizational profile as this will provide valuable information to include in the capacity analysis report if it is to be shared with others. Developing a profile of the NGO includes documenting the background of the NGO, providing details of its main programmes and activities, and highlighting some key achievements and challenges. It can provide vital information and future reference for the facilitators of the workshop as well as other future providers of technical support. In reality, this is yet to be the case, precisely because the state in many countries does not yet play its developmental role fully. In public sectors such as health and education, development non-government organizations (NGOs) have been occupying the role of main service providers over the past few years. Often replacing the role of the government on the ground, especially in remote rural areas, NGOs have traditionally assumed a gap-filling role that has sometimes created conflicting relations with governments. In this context, their strategies and activities are of interest in so far as they have an impact on governmental capacity development in the education sector. Indeed, while the continuation of their gap-filling role depends on the government’s lack of capacity, NGOs increasingly demand that governmental priorities change by paying more attention to those people who have not yet been reached. They act therefore as innovators, critics, advocates and policy partners. The capacity development (CD) concept and the need to focus on strengthening government capacity provides NGOs with new challenges. The possible contradictions between capacity development as a developmenta paradigm and NGOs’ role as gap fillers correspond to the tensions between the new and the traditional roles of NGOs. This raises two related issues: what impact does NGO action have on governments’ capacities? Also, how do NGOs interpret the capacity development concept? Our focus in this paper will be on NGOs’ action in education. Their work in this sector has occupied a more prominent place in the development discourse since the 1990s, especially as it became obvious that in many countries the provision of basic social services was not being assured by the public sector. Today, education is considered to be crucial in the process of poverty eradication and economic development. One of the reasons for this renewed interest in education is that it “straddles both equity and productivity conceptualizations of development” (Baker, 2007: 9). In other words, the importance of education is a common denominator for the various and sometimes competing approaches to development, and accordingly, gains support from most actors involved in the development enterprise – governments, aid agencies, multilateral organizations and NGOs. The Role of NGOs in development Research on NGOs is vast, and NGOs have been subject to rich academic debates related to global governance, democratization and development. Diversity has become an NGO trademark and it is a nearly impossible task to enumerate the various NGO characteristics when it comes to their aims, strategies, resources, target groups, tools, effectiveness, impact and sustainability. A preliminary attempt to define NGOs would imply referring to the civil sphere of society. Nerfin’s famous words “neither prince nor merchant: citizen” are often quoted in the literature in order to illustrate how we can conceive of civil society as a separate sphere, distinct from the political and economic spheres. In the non-state sphere, NGOs are characterized by their non-profit motivation and conversely, the private sector is fuelled by profit. In reality, these spheres are not always easy to distinguish. The interdependency may be even more present or at least more visible in a developmental context, where the political sphere often encounters difficulties in matching the capacities of the other two types of actors. Development NGOs are committed to working towards economic, social or politica development in developing countries. The Norwegian bilateral aid agency Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) (2004: 6) defines development-oriented NGOs as organizations that “attempt to improve social, economic and productive conditions and are found both as small community-based organizations at village and district levels, and as large professional development agencies at state or national level”. One can distinguish between Northern and Southern NGOs within the diverse group of non-state actors. Additiona distinctions are often made between advocacy and rights-based NGOs; relief, welfare and charity NGOs; network NGOs and professional support NGOs. However, it is important to bear in mind that in practice the boundaries between these categories rapidly become blurred. Potentially, NGOs can participate in all phases of the policy cycle and on all levels of the public sector; as contributors to policy discussion and formulation, advocates and lobbyists, service deliverers (operators), monitors (watchdogs) of rights and of particular interests, and as innovators introducing new concepts and initiatives. Some NGOs combine two or more of these activities, whereas others choose to focus on one. However, in this paper the primary focus will be the traditional NGO role of filling gaps in state-provided public education. We will trace the evolution of NGO activities on the supply side of capacity development, making occasional references to advocacy and watchdog activities on the demand side of service provision. A few intergovernmental economic organizations do allow an individual company to have
access under their provisions for NGOs, but this is only in cases where there are loose ad hoc
procedures and there are no formal institutional arrangements. However, as with political parties, non-profit-making federations of companies, established for industry-wide collaboration and to act as lobbies, are widely accepted. From the earliest days of the UN bodies such as the International Chamber of Commerce, the International Organization of Employers and similar organizations for particular economic sectors have been included among the NGOs. Until the 1990s, they were not of much significance in the UN itself, but they have always been important in the specialized agencies. The more technical the question under discussion, the more the policy-making process will draw on their expertise. As shown by the Global Environment Outlook and Millennium Ecosystem Assessment processes, NGOs have much to offer in the way of information collection, dissemination, and analysis. Numerous other examples exist in which NGOs serve a key information-based role One of the most significant relates to the Conferences of Parties and other meetings held in conjunction with multilateral environmental agreements such as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Often, the meetings are distinguished less by what is said in plenary session than by the wealth of research and policy documents produced by NGOs and other civil society constituents and released specifically to coincide with the official events. Many conference delegates read these opinion papers and other documents, which often shed new light on the costs of inaction and the options for change. Another common opportunity for civil society members to provide input into intergovernmental negotiations comes in the form of a single statement developed by NGOs present and released at the close of the official event. As economic reform and liberalization saw the Government vacating several areas to let private sector entrepreneurship flourish and contribute to the high growth rate of the economy in recent years, a similar paradigm shift is needed to transform NGOs from their dependence on aid and grants from within and outside for transforming the rural scenario in the country. This is sought to be achieved for the NGOs through engaging them in micro- finance, micro insurance, and micro-entrepreneurship activities for the overall development of the rural areas and to promote the welfare of the people of rural India. Major rural development programmes of the NGOs were agricultural programmes, health programmes, human resource development programmes, community development and industrial and trade programmes. Majority of the beneficiaries, non- beneficiaries, workers of NGOs and workers of other development agencies considered rural development works of the NGOs as effective for rural development13. Studies reveal that the NGOs can play a vital role in the development. The role of state in the planning process, political parties, participation, active participation of grassroots organizations, role of donor agencies etc. are important for ensuring people participation and socio-economic development of the people. Poverty eradication, HRD, health care, environmental protection, protection of human rights, empowerment of women, child and weaker sections, ushering in silent revolution etc. are some of the importance goals of NGOs. This study was based on NGOs functions including villager’s socio–economic changes, health and sanitary condition, economic security, education and status of self-employment, increase in irrigated area, animal resources and Cropping Intensity, increase in yield of the crops under Demonstration and changes in crop management practices, the operational constraints in the functioning of NGOs and perception of the beneficiaries. However, this study also point out that expecting radical’s social change through voluntary effort is also a kind of day-dreaming and add that the socio-economic structure and states positives attitudes towards NGOs also contribute for its growing role in the development process.
EVALUATION OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL AND PHYSICAL SPREAD OF NGO’S
It used to be widely argued that NGOs were predominantly a feature of Western societies. This false proposition was derived from a mixture of ignorance, Western presumptions of their superiority in the Cold War and nationalist rhetoric from authoritarian regimes. All societies in modern times have had large numbers of NGOs at least at the local level. Under the most authoritarian regimes or in the least developed countries there are still self-help co-operative groups, community welfare associations, religious groups, professional and scientific associations, sports and recreational bodies, etc. Even Romania during the dictatorship of President Ceausescu was host to the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations. The presence or absence of a democratic political culture is one of the major variables determining the number of NGOs, but the size of a country, its ethnic, religious and cultura diversity, the complexity of its economy and the quality of its communication infrastructure are also of crucial importance. Thus there are tens of thousands of NGOs in countries such as Bangladesh and India, while there are relatively few in Iceland or Finland. A particular source of controversy is the idea that the major NGOs are "Northern". Many people are still trapped by the mental prejudice that organizations have to be situated in geographical space. It might be a practical necessity for an international NGO to have a headquarters office in a particular building, but the location of the office in a North American or a European city does not convert a global NGO into a Northern NGO. Equally, the historical origins of an organization being formed in a particular country does not mean it is currently a Northern rather than a global organization. The proper criteria for assessment whether an organization is global are the location of its membership, the staffing of its headquarters, the sources of its funding and the content of its programs. An organization, such as Amnesty International, with 56 National Sections, groups in some 40 other countries, an International Secretariat from over 50 countries and an African Secretary-General is a global NGO, even if it started in Britain and has its headquarters in London. Due to the spread of democracy and the improvements in communications, many international NGOs that started in individual countries became global at the end of the twentieth century. India has a long tradition of social service, social reform and voluntary agencies. NGOs emerged in India soon after Independence when Mahatma Gandhi made a plea for dissolving the Indian National Congress (the political party which came into power upon Independence), and transforming it into a Lok Sevak Sangh (Public Service Organization). This plea was, however, rejected; nevertheless, it did not halt the formation of non-governmenta organizations in India. Many Gandhi followers established voluntary agencies to work closely with the governmental programs on social and economic issues. These agencies organized handicrafts and village industries, rural development programs, credit cooperatives, educational institutions, etc. The second stage of growth of NGOs in India was around 1960 when many individuals noticed that the governmental programs seemed to be inadequate to deal with the deprived sections of India. These groups formed organizations that worked on behalf of the poor, the landless, the tribals, the bonded labourers, and many other social groups that were being discriminated against by the policies of the state and social structure. These grass roots organizations work at the micro-level and work with limited resources and lack of coordination.
NGO’S SHARE THROUGHOUT EXECUTION ASSOCIATED WITH MNREGA.
Economic stability is key to stop the migration of labour from place to place and thereby giving a chance to child education. Some successful NGOs in Rural Development, through their hard work, dedication, commitment combined with professional competency and integrity have made their mark in the field of Rural Development during last three decades. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and agencies will have a pivotal role in the conduct of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). The Central government has directed the State government to select NGOs or Lok Sevaks and a Lok Karmi or volunteer in every panchayat for implementing the Act. The agencies will be selected by a committee headed by the Local Administration Secretary and comprising one representative each of the Union Rural Development Ministry, CAPART, National Institute of Rural Development and a reputed NGO. Provides that, Joint work applications may also be submitted by several applicants, either on their own or by NGOs/ entities authorized for the purpose by the DPC on their behalf. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, among others, implements the following schemes for NGOs: Scheme of Grant in Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for Scheduled Castes, Central Sector Scheme of free Coaching for Scheduled Castes and OBC Students, Assistance to Voluntary Organizations for Welfare of OBCs, Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/ Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP Scheme), Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme to Promote Voluntary Action for Persons with Disabilities (DDRS Scheme), Integrated Programme for Older Persons, and Scheme for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance(Drugs) Abuse. The grant-in-aid to NGOs is considered on the basis of recommendation of the State Level Grant-in-Aid Committee along with the inspection report of the concerned district authorities and the supporting documents submitted therewith
REVIEW AND MONITORING
Performance assessments and monitoring of environmental conditions undertaken by NGOs may hold decision makers in international arenas publicly accountable for decisions in ways that the intergovernmental system itself could never accomplish (Gaer, 1996). As Thomas Weiss notes, “NGOs are . . . capable of making sensitive or politically important information public – something that intergovernmental organizations often are reluctant or loathe to do because of their dependence on member states for resources” (Weiss, 1999). A number of NGO-led or assisted assessment initiatives are currently under way. Two of the EFA mechanisms created by UNESCO illustrate this commitment. The fi rst one, the Collective Consultation of NGOs on Education for All (CCNGO/EFA), is a process whereby UNESCO seeks to “learn from its dialogue with civil society by promoting and furthering collaboration between governments and civil society, and encouraging the participation of civil society in joint EFA efforts”. Civil society is also involved in the Fast Track Initiative, a globa compact on education in which capacity development is an important aspect. Interestingly, the four NGOs that consult regularly with the EFA Fast Track Initiative (Action Aid, Education International, Oxfam and Save the Children) are often referred to in the literature in relation to capacity development activities in education. The political will of relevant internationa actors such as UNESCO, UNICEF, the World Bank and bilateral aid organizations – together referred to as a loose international regime for educational development (Baker and Wiseman, 2007: 3) – currently provides a favorable environment for NGOs that want to get involved at the national level.
CONCLUSION:
Unless the NGOs are developed, prepared to face the new challenges like shortage of funds, stoppage of funds, it would be difficult for them to sustain. Rural India continues to suffer from lack of employment and self-employment opportunities owing to its narrow economic base. In the recent past, considerable success has been achieved in developing rural poor through entrepreneurship development approach which focuses on selectively utilizing loca talent, appropriately developing them through training intervention and linking them with relevant business opportunities. EDI implemented Rural Entrepreneurship Development (RED) Approach, in collaboration with NGOs by training their development workers. One of the major hurdles faced in the process is non-availability of required and timely financia support to trained entrepreneurs. It was, therefore, felt that the desired success rate could not be achieved in REDPs despite best possible training inputs, because of non-availability of funds from banks to trainees. Rural development aims at finding the ways to improve the rural lives with participation of the rural people themselves so as to meet the required need of the rural area. The outsider may not understand the setting, culture, language and other things prevalent in the local area. As such, general people themselves have to participate in their sustainable rura development. Till our panchayats become capable and accountable to handle large sum and certain technical programmes, there is nothing wrong in involving competent agency, whether the Government department or NGO involved in Rural Development programme, under the supervision and monitoring of ultimate masters, the village community. The distribution of huge funds has to be based on sound economic principles; otherwise, our villages will not see tangible improvements in near future. Designing governance structures that draw NGOs into global-scale environmental problem solving, policymaking, and implementation remains an important global challenge. Civil society has much more to offer to intergovernmental processes. Indeed, the very legitimacy of international decision making may depend on NGOs as a way to ensure connectedness to the publics around the world and substitute for true popular sovereignty, which international bodies, devoid of elected officials, lack. A number of UN projects and programs are already benefiting from the contributions of NGOs in areas as varied as information collection and dissemination, policy implementation, monitoring and assessment, norm-setting, and policy development. A revitalized global environmental governance system must facilitate both an expansion of these roles for NGOs and the development of better-defined processes o participation.
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