Development agencies: global or solo players?

This paper questions whether development agencies and their staff, at whatever level (community-based organisations, national or international NGOs) are sufficiently clear about their own values and roles, and seeks to analyse tensions and dilemmas that arise when roles are confused. Clarity about the roles of the people and agencies involved is essential for the development of a valid global citizens' movement that can inter-connect local and global problems and actors, and work towards sustainable solutions. This article is freely available as a chapter in Debating Development: NGOs and the Future.