A Framework for Understanding Accountability of International NGOs and Global Good Governance

Abstract

International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) promote good governance through global advocacy and through relief and development work. This article focuses on the latter role. While there are legitimate criticisms of INGOs' lack of accountability, this article argues that a review of the different stakeholders in the relief and development sector and their relationships with one another reveals valuable information about what accountability means and to whom stakeholders should be accountable. The article posits that INGOs should be accountable, above all, to the communities where they are implementing projects. Finally, the article points to many efforts being undertaken by INGOs to improve their accountability to communities but asserts that INGOs' efforts would be significantly enhanced if other stakeholders, including donor governments and intergovernmental, organizations addressed their own accountability to communities as well.