Civil society

Shrinking operational space of NGOs – a framework of analysis

NGOs face many types of pressures that limit and influence their activities. While in many studies these pressures and the causes and agendas behind them have been the focus of analysis, this paper provides a framework that can give insight into the ways in which the pressures play out in diverse contexts and affect different NGOs in distinct ways. It develops an analytical model that combines the local political context, the specific mix of policies and actions that restrict NGOs, and the characteristics and functions of NGOs themselves.

The full article is available here:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09614524.2012.714745

 

Author: 
van der Borgh, Chris
Author: 
Terwindt, Carolijn
Page: 
65

Taking research where the practice is: a tale of two programmes from BRAC

A major challenge for the research community is to take knowledge or evidence generated from research to the practitioners for translation into tangible practice. This paper describes how an indigenous Bangladeshi NGO addressed this challenge and made use of research in developing two of its most successful projects – the oral therapy extension programme and a grants-based programme for improving the lot of the ultra-poor. A study of the projects reveals that early involvement in identifying research issues and designing studies, communication between researchers and practitioners, relevance and timeliness of research, and customised dissemination were the key factors underpinning success.

The full article is available here:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09614524.2012.696584

 

Author: 
Ahmed, Syed Masud
Page: 
1000

“Your kool-aid is not my kool-aid”: ideologies on microfinance within an INGO culture

Development investigations focus on synergies of institutional cultures for policy and practice. International non-governmental organisations (INGOs) currently enjoy a privileged position as harbingers of world culture unity. While there is contestation on INGOs as monolithic entities, few studies delve into the voices of actors within INGOs to provide for a more pluralistic perspective. This paper separates the actors from their institution by examining their different socio-cultural takes that drive them. This emphasises that as projects and visions come and go, institutional actors draw on their own philosophy that does not necessarily mirror their institution's stance. Here, the focus is on one of the most important current development initiatives – microfinance – revealing individual understandings of what is sustainability, the role of external actors, indicators of success, exit strategies, and ethical action. In spite of situating this in the microfinance area, what is revealed is that actors are motivated by their own constructed ideology, often alluding peripherally to the specifics of microfinance. This opens another avenue of enquiry as to why organisational ideologies and popular development visions such as microfinance take on such diversity of forms and outcomes. Contrary to the world culture unity model, such communication disjunctures can be useful in understanding diverse development outcomes.

The full article is available here:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09614524.2012.696583

 

Author: 
Arora, Payal
Page: 
1000

Reforming accountability in international NGOs: making sense of conflicting feedback

Home and field office staff disagreement often impedes international development NGOs (INGOs) from making their accountability systems more responsive to partner and community concerns. Drawing on a staff survey, and qualitative interviews across four country programmes, of a major INGO, three interlocking explanations for this disagreement are suggested: that staff perceive accountability practices differently because they place greater interpretive weight on practices most relevant to their own organisational roles; that divergent views reflect substantively different normative beliefs about accountability; and that differing assessments of accountability practices reflect a strategic misrepresentation of field country experiences as a rational response to power differentials.

The full article is available here:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09614524.2012.696093

 

 

 

Author: 
Davis, Thomas W. D.
Author: 
Macdonald, Kate
Author: 
Brenton, Scott
Page: 
946

Debt-for-development exchanges in Australia: past, present and future

Debt-for-development exchanges are one technique through which to address the ongoing debt crisis in the less-developed world. This paper discusses how Australia's first debt-for-development exchange, with Indonesia, came into being, and explores future possibilities for Australian debt exchanges. It is an interesting example of how activists and advocates can successfully pursue innovative public policy solutions to development problems. More importantly, however, this paper explores the link between debt accumulation in less-developed countries and trade policies of industrialised countries like Australia.

The full article is available here:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09614524.2012.696582

 

Author: 
Fletcher, Luke
Author: 
Webb, Adele
Page: 
932

Learning for capacity development: a holistic approach to sustained organisational change

This article describes a holistic approach to organisational development that promotes learning and its integration into everyday work practice. It presents the approach and how it leads to genuine organisational transformation, increased organisational efficiency, and resilience during change. When an organisation is both willing and able to engage with a holistic approach, the results are significantly better than any that external one-off interventions or standalone training programmes can produce.

The full article is available here:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09614524.2012.696581

 

Author: 
Thol, Phum
Author: 
Chankiriroth, Sim
Author: 
Barbian, Dennis
Author: 
Storer, Graeme
Page: 
909

Fostering “Why not?” social initiatives – beyond business and governments

In this article, we challenge the notion that complex and resilient problems – such as global warming and poverty – will have to be resolved by governments or responsible corporations. Instead, we argue for the potency of social initiatives promoted by communities of engaged people. A variety of experiences from around the world, and especially from Brazilians with their “Why not?” temperament, suggest characteristics of the origin, development, and diffusion of these initiatives. We conclude that social initiatives, by addressing local problems of a global nature, using networks connected across communities, may be the greatest hope for this troubled world.

The full article is available here:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09614524.2012.696585

 

Author: 
Mintzberg, Henry
Author: 
Azevedo, Guilherme
Page: 
895

Addressing dependency with faith and hope: the Eagles Relief and Development Programme of the Living Waters church in Malawi

The evolution and achievements of the Eagles Relief and Development Programme in Malawi are inspired and influenced by Christian values. The strength of Eagles comes from its integration of religious teaching and values with the way it works and from its decision to work through the local congregations, despite the challenges that such integration entails. The Eagles Programme challenges the stereotype of Pentecostal churches as being preoccupied with providing charity and welfare rather than justice for the poor.

Author: 
James, Rick
Page: 
883

Islam and development practice: HIV/AIDS in South Africa

The role of religion in development is often neglected, whether this refers to the faith of intended beneficiaries, provides staff and volunteers with a motivation for involvement in development practice or influences the design and implementation of projects. This paper examines how Islam provides guidance for development practice, with a focus on addressing HIV/AIDS, using a South African case study. The case study highlights important principles on which two Muslim organisations (Islamic Careline and the Muslim AIDS Programme) base their operational methodologies.

Author: 
Cochrane, Logan
Author: 
Nawab, Suraiya
Page: 
875

Practising Buddhism in a development context: Sri Lanka's Sarvódaya movement

Development practice should be centred on human relations governed by a spirit of cooperation, kindness and compassion, rather than on purely economic concerns. The Sarvódaya Shramadána movement, a grassroots Buddhist-based development movement in Sri Lanka, emphasises that development practices should be more closely aligned with religious resources and principles in order to achieve a balanced and sustainable development process.

Author: 
Daskon, Chandima
Author: 
Binns, Tony
Page: 
867
Syndicate content