Activities Of Non-governmental Organizations Research Articles

CSOs' Role in Promoting Health: A Case Study of NGOs' approaches to HIV/AIDS in Iran

Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), as one of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), have currently occupied a considerable status in the policy making process in the developed and developing countries. Applying multi‐dimensional approaches in dealing with the issues have differentiated them from governmental agencies. Despite NGOs are faced with a wide range of problems in Iran, they play an invaluable role in disseminating information, raising awareness, and sensitisation about HIV/AIDS. Generally speaking, HIV/AIDS NGOs activities in Iran can be categorized in three domains: advocacy, education and information, and intervention. Using descriptive method, this paper intends to explain the services provided by the NGOs for people living with HIV/AIDS, then it will examine the effectiveness of the services provided for their clientele, and next it will explore the impediments faced by the NGOs in terms of provision of services. Finally, providing some meaning of HIVNGOs paper will come to a conclusion.

Human Security and Japan International Cooperation Agency and Non-governmental Organizations Collaboration (A Case Study of Great East Japan Earthquake/Tsunami)

Abstract Human security norm has emerged as a key focus for Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) Charter in 2003. Since then, Japan has been playing a more active role in promoting human security as a leading country. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is an organization under Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), plays important roles in the implementation of Japanese ODA in order to improve the lives of the local people in developing countries. JICA has been strengthening its collaboration with various parties; such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), universities, local governments, and so on to cope with complicated non-traditional security threats. Moreover, a number of Japanese non-governmental organizations activities are undertaken by JICA in order to protect the lives, livelihood and dignity of human beings, which is based on the perspective of human security. In response to Japanese ODA policy on human security, JICA's practice of human security is based on these four kinds of cooperation as follows; 1) cooperation that comprehensively targets freedom from fear (conflicts and disasters) and want (poverty); 2) cooperation that involves through consideration for the social vulnerability; 3) cooperation that establishes mechanisms to protect and empower people; and 4) cooperation that addresses global risks. Based on the implementation, JICA seek closer cooperation not merely from the governmental agencies, but also from international organizations and NGOs. In order to empower communities and individuals, JICA expands its cooperation at local level. This reflects the way of JICA's operation which is based on the bottom-up approach. However, environmental degradation and climate change are directly related to many natural disasters, like flood and drought, which can be understood as a human security issue. In fact, human security conceives natural disasters as a threat to people's survival as well as a trigger of vulnerabilities related to issues of want, which is about people's basic needs and livelihoods (Carvalho, 2011:3). In case of Great East Japan Earthquake/Tsunami hitting in the Northeast of Japan on March 11 th , 2011, it destroyed not only people's lives nd livelihoods but also people ability to access basic goods and public services. Thus, this natural disaster affects human security directly so the links between the natural disaster and human security are clearly seen. The aim of this paper are to deepen the understanding of JICA's operation in response to natural disasters that has become a major threat to human security as well as the cooperation between JICA and Japanese NGOs on the perspective of human security. It also aims to investigate how JICA collaborates with Japanese NGOs in assisting emergency response, providing reliefs and performing rehabilitation activities of NGOs in the domestic context. The paper argues that JICA-NGOs collaboration on human security in the domestic context should be developed since their close collaboration will pave the way for strengthen linkages and cooperation with state actor and non-state actor's activities, in which can be lessons learned for other countries. In this study, qualitative methodology based on documentary research and field research was applied. The latter was carried out through a case study using observations at Sendai City in Miyagi Prefecture. The result of this study will shed light on the direct damages and indirect damages of the Great East Japan Earthquake/Tsunami in relation to human security. Furthermore, the roles of JICA and NGOs in collaborative activities for rehabilitation after the disaster will be investigated. Lastly, policy implications of JICA-NGOs collaboration will be proposed in order to address more precious activities that bring about the enhancement of human security to cope with natural disasters.

Działania organizacji pozarządowych na rzecz wyrównywania szans edukacyjnych dzieci ze środowiska wiejskiego

We live in a world where the access to knowledge has a decisive influence on our future. A large number of children in Poland have difficulties with this access, because they are raised in impoverished, excluded, poorly educated families of low social status. This phenomenon is mainly related to rural areas. Nonformal education should provide important support for formal education. Nonformal education should be organized with the cooperation of schools, kindergartens, and non-governmental organizations. The educational activities proposed for children and their parents by non-governmental organizations complement formal education. These activities are of crucial importance in the equalization of educational opportunities for children from rural areas. It is essential that these activities be planned, long-term, and a part of the entire educational program.

Personnel Management in NGOs of Bangladesh

Activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Bangladesh have gained momentum due to the failure of both governmental organizations (GOs) and for-profit organizations (FPOs) in achieving their mission and objectives, and thus their inability to fulfill needs of the beneficiaries/customers. Prima facie investigations show that little research has been done on the personnel management of NGOs in Bangladesh. In view of this situation, using a mixed method of survey of archival sources, quantitative review of job advertisements data, unstructured interview, and a case study, this research examines personnel management practice of NGOs, and explores basic characteristics in the three areas of personnel selection and recruitment, training and education, and compensation and motivation. The findings suggest that large NGOs implement systematic practices, possess adequate organizational structure, employ professional managers, and nurture pragmatic environments for their personnel management. The NGOs emphasize professionalism and career orientation and implement long-term, forward-looking approaches in their selection, recruitment, and remuneration. These management practices also follow national employment practices, attach importance to national wage and salary principles, policies, and scales for the GO/FPOs, but formulate their principles and systems keeping those in view. The international NGOs (INGOs) follow domestic practices, implement policies and practices of their own which is found to create confusion in the national job market. The small and mid-size NGOs, however, do not possess personnel management practices of their own, rather they follow and imitate larger members. The authors envision further research on this topic with a focus on both of its micro and macro aspects, and use of advanced methods and tools to develop a full model of NGO-human resources management (HRM) in Bangladesh. Keywords: Bangladesh, Personnel Management, NGOs, Job Advertisement, Job Notification, Recruitment, Remuneration, Selection

U.S. Civil Society Assistance to Egypt: Thinking Long Term

The interim Egyptian government's excoriation of U.S. support for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the country has sparked a crisis that some analysts have called the worst deterioration of United States–Egypt relations in history. As Cairo's smear campaigns against the civil society community foment public mistrust among many Egyptians of NGO activity and foreign funding, U.S. policymakers and practitioners face new challenges in supporting civil society work in Egypt. For a number of reasons, however, Washington's assistance to Egypt should and almost certainly will continue, even if the environment for civil society activity in the country does not improve. Grantors and implementers must think seriously, therefore, about long-term strategies for assisting civil society development in Egypt, which will require at least some coordination with a government that may be suspicious of U.S. efforts. By standing firm on red lines, improving public messaging in Egypt, carefully fostering local ownership of projects, remaining strictly neutral in identifying grantees and diversifying partnerships, distinguishing between short-term foreign policy objectives and long-term efforts to assist civil society development, and using varied democracy assistance tools appropriately, the United States can assist NGOs in Egypt in a way that gives them—and democracy—the best chance for success.

Evaluation of the influence of Active Rehabilitation camps on the functional abilities in persons with tetraplegia

Abstract Introduction: Every year, about 400 new patients with tetraplegia arise in Poland. The solution ensuring the continuation of the rehabilitation process of such patients is the activity of non-governmental organizations associating disabled people. Among them Foundation of Active Rehabilitation (FAR) has greatest experience in rehabilitation of people after SCI. Annually, about 70 persons with tetraplegia participate in Active Rehabilitation (AR) camps. Aim of this study was to estimate the influence of AR camps on the functional abilities in persons with tetraplegia. Material and methods: 40 men with tetraplegia were examined. Subjects were divided into two groups: participants of AR camps (group A, n=20) and control (group B, n=20). TheASIA motor score was used to estimate the degree of upper limb impairment. Functional Independence Measure (FIM)was used to assess functional abilities. All subjects were assessed in the beginning of the study and reassessed after 8 days. Results: Both groups during preliminary investigation were homogeneous under regard the ASIA motor score as well as the results of FIM. During final investigations significant improvement of FIM was noted only in group A. The mean value of FIM significantly increased about 10.8 points. In group A significant correlation between FIM scores and ASIA motor score were found (p<0.001). Conclusion: Improvement of functional skills among patients with tetraplegia which participated in AR camps was observed. The highest improvement in FIM was observed among persons with a C6 tetraplegia. Obtained results (ceiling effect) through of examined persons from C7 tetraplegia were suggested the need of applying more sensitive tests.

Sleeping with the Enemy? Strategic Transformations in Business–NGO Relationships Through Stakeholder Dialogue

Campaigning activities of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have increased public awareness and concern regarding the alleged unethical and environmentally damaging practices of many major multinational companies. Companies have responded by developing corporate social responsibility strategies to demonstrate their commitment to both the societies within which they function and to the protection of the natural environment. This has often involved a move towards greater transparency in company practice and a desire to engage with stakeholders, often including many of the campaign organisations that have been at the forefront of the criticisms of their activity. This article examines the ways in which stakeholder dialogue has impacted upon the relationships between NGOs and businesses. In doing so, it contributes to the call for more ‘stakeholder-focused’ research in this field (Frooman in Acad Manag Rev 24(2): 191–205, 1999; Steurer in Bus Strategy Environ 15: 15–69 2006). By adopting a stakeholder lens, and focusing more heavily upon the impact on one particular stakeholder community (NGOs) and looking in depth at one form of engagement (stakeholder dialogue), this article examines how experiences of dialogue are strategically transforming interactions between businesses and NGOs. It shows how experiences of stakeholder dialogue have led to transformations in the drivers for engagement, transformations in the processes of engagement and transformations in the terms of engagement. Examining these areas of transformation, the article argues, reveals the interactions at play in framing and shaping the evolving relationships between business and its stakeholders.

Non-Governmental Organizations, Rural Communities and Forests: A Comparative Analysis of Community-NGO Interactions

Scholars, policy-makers and advocates have, in the last decade, recommended greater involvement by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in community forest management in developing countries. Behind these recommendations lies a notion that NGOs are a sound complement to formal governments and that NGOs can improve communities’ abilities to manage their own forests. There is limited empirical work, however, testing how NGO activity affects local forest governance and deforestation. This paper reports the results of quantitative statistical tests on the effects of local NGO importance—as measured by local forest users’ reports of NGO importance—on deforestation in a sample of 200 rural Bolivian communities. In addition, it examines the effect of NGO importance on community forestry institutions—specifically, the presence of institutions for rule-making, forest monitoring, sanctioning, and enforcement of rules. Contrary to earlier research, these results suggest that NGOs have no discernible effect on community forestry institutions, though other external actors—most notably, municipal governments—seem to have a positive effect. The paper also reports a negative correlation of NGO importance on deforestation. Although these quantitative results are in part supported by qualitative field observations in selected Bolivian communities, care is needed in drawing generalized causal inferences from this evidence.

Formulating professional identity

Recent scholarly and practitioner research on the work of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has been concerned with questions about the moral legitimacy of humanitarian aid in settings of armed conflict. At issue is the extent to which NGO activities are said to affect the conduct and outcome of warfare, thereby potentially implicating humanitarian aid in the partisan interests which it has traditionally eschewed as a condition of its legitimacy. This paper explores how such issues are taken up in the explanations offered by humanitarian aid operatives in descriptions of the work they carry out in settings of armed conflict. Drawing on a corpus of conversational material recorded in open-ended interviews with representatives of various NGOs that operate in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), I examine how speakers work to make themselves accountable to demands for sympathetic affiliation with the losing (or vanquished) parties in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict while maintaining a non-aligned stance relative to the partisan considerations that animate that conflict’s conduct. Both in first-hand narrative accounts of personal transformation and in descriptions of contrastive examples where professional colleagues are said to maintain a too-sympathetic affiliation with the partisan concerns of the Palestinian population whose needs they service, speakers work to provide for the legitimacy of their professional activities in the context of otherwise conflicting demands for moral accountability.

Funding, Competition and the Efficiency of NGOs: An Empirical Analysis of Non‐charitable Expenditure of US NGOs Engaged in Foreign Aid

SummaryWe assess the determinants of the wide variation in the efficiency of foreign aid activities across US‐based non‐governmental organizations (NGOs). In particular, we analyze whether non‐charitable expenditures for administration, management and fundraising depend on the intensity of competition among NGOs and on the degree to which they are refinanced by governments. We control for NGO heterogeneity in various dimensions as well as major characteristics of recipient countries. We find that fiercer competition is associated with more efficient foreign aid activities of NGOs, rather than leading to “excessive” fundraising. Official funding tends to increase administrative costs. Nevertheless, officially financed NGOs spend relatively more on charitable activities since they are less concerned with collecting private donations through fundraising efforts.

Where are the NGOs and Why? The Distribution of Health and Development NGOs in Bolivia

BackgroundThe presence and influence of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the landscape of global health and development have dramatically increased over the past several decades. The distribution of NGO activity and the ways in which contextual factors influence the distribution of NGO activity across geographies merit study. This paper explores the distribution of NGO activity, using Bolivia as a case study, and identifies local factors that are related to the distribution of NGO activity across municipalities in Bolivia.MethodsThe research question is addressed using a geographic information system (GIS) and multiple regression analyses of count data. We used count data of the total number of NGO projects across Bolivian municipalities to measure NGO activity both in general and in the health sector specifically and national census data for explanatory variables of interest.ResultsThis study provides one of the first empirical analyses exploring factors related to the distribution of NGO activity at the national scale. Our analyses show that NGO activity in Bolivia, both in general and health-sector specific, is distributed unevenly across the country. Results indicate that NGO activity is related to population size, extent of urbanization, size of the indigenous population, and health system coverage. Results for NGO activity in general and health-sector specific NGO activity were similar.ConclusionsThe uneven distribution of NGO activity may suggest a lack of co-ordination among NGOs working in Bolivia as well as a lack of co-ordination among NGO funders. Co-ordination of NGO activity is most needed in regions characterized by high NGO activity in order to avoid duplication of services and programmes and inefficient use of limited resources. Our findings also indicate that neither general nor health specific NGO activity is related to population need, when defined as population health status or education level or poverty levels. Considering these results we discuss broader implications for global health and development and make several recommendations relevant for development and health practice and research.

Non-governmental organizations in world politics: the construction of global governance

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from Amnesty International and Oxfam to Greenpeace and Save the Children are now key players in global politics. This accessible and informative textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the significant role and increasing participation of NGOs in world politics. Peter Willetts examines the variety of different NGOs, their structure, membership and activities, and their complex relationship with social movements and civil society. He makes us aware that there are many more NGOs exercising influence in the United Nations system than the few famous ones. Conventional thinking is challenged in a radical manner on four questions: the extent of the engagement of NGOs in global policy- making; the status of NGOs within international law; the role of NGOs as crucial pioneers in the creation of the Internet; and the need to integrate NGOs within mainstream international relations theory. This is the definitive guide to this crucial area within international politics and should be required reading for students, NGO activists, and policy-makers.

Genesis and growth of the NGOs: Issues in Bangladesh perspective

NGOs (Non-governmental organizations) activities have virtually grown into a movement in Bangladesh and eventually playing a very significant role in the nation’s development process scene. NGOs have not been evolved over time. The NGOs throughout the world have evolved in the specific context of the society. The context of the developed countries and developing countries are certainly different. The last three decades, enormous growth of NGOs in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has been regarded as the land of NGOs. This paper highlights common assumptions about the growth and genesis of the NGOs in Bangladesh. This study is mostly based on secondary information. The paper is based on the content analysis of different secondary sources of data and information. Observations are also drawn from several interview sessions. Key words: NGO, genesis, growth, poverty, voluntarism and Bangladesh.

Canadian initiatives to prevent hypertension by reducing dietary sodium.

Hypertension is the leading risk for premature death in the world. High dietary sodium is an important contributor to increased blood pressure and is strongly associated with other important diseases (e.g., gastric cancer, calcium containing kidney stones, osteoporosis, asthma and obesity). The average dietary sodium intake in Canada is approximately 3400 mg/day. It is estimated that 30% of hypertension, more than 10% of cardiovascular events and 1.4 billion dollars/year in health care expenses are caused by this high level of intake in Canada. Since 2006, Canada has had a focused and evolving effort to reduce dietary sodium based on actions from Non Governmental Organizations (NGO), and Federal and Provincial/Territorial Government actions. NGOs initiated Canadian sodium reduction programs by developing a policy statement outlining the health issue and calling for governmental, NGO and industry action, developing and disseminating an extensive health care professional education program including resources for patient education, developing a public awareness campaign through extensive media releases and publications in the lay press. The Federal Government responded by striking a Intersectoral Sodium Work Group to develop recommendations on how to implement Canada’s dietary reference intake values for dietary sodium and by developing timelines and targets for foods to be reduced in sodium, assessing key research gaps with funding for targeted dietary sodium based research, developing plans for public education and for conducting evaluation of the program to reduce dietary sodium. While food regulation is a Federal Government responsibility Provincial and Territorial governments indicated reducing dietary sodium needed to be a priority. Federal and Provincial Ministers of Health have endorsed a target to reduce the average consumption of sodium to 2300 mg/day by 2016 and the Deputy Ministers of Health have tasked a joint committee to review the recommendations of the Sodium Work Group and report back to them.

Realistic evaluation as an avenue to learning for development NGOs

The rise of evidence-based policy-making has created pressures on the evaluation activities of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). In tandem with the demands from outside, NGOs themselves have improved their evaluation activities due to their own desire to learn. This article was motivated by the reflections of Finnish development NGOs on their need to elaborate new approaches. The NGOs have particularly searched for alternatives to the Logical Framework Approach (LFA), as they have found its measurability demands not to be applicable to their work. This article considers the possibilities of realistic evaluation providing a potential alternative approach. The attempt of realistic evaluation to integrate the concept of mechanism into the identification of programme theory increases the depth of the analysis. In addition, we suggest that the value dimension in NGOs’ work should be taken into account as a part of realistic evaluation.

Hydro-Political Hyperbole: Examining Incentives for Overemphasizing the Risks of Water Wars

Predictions of inevitable and imminent wars over scarce water are routinely made by prominent political figures, academics, journalists, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These statements continue to occur despite both a questionable theoretical foundation and little empirical evidence to support them. This study demonstrates that several sets of actors—policymakers, academics, journalists, and NGO activists—each have different incentives to stress and even exaggerate the probability of war over water. This confluence of incentives has likely contributed to an overemphasis in public discourse of the likelihood of water wars.

Rights Based Approaches to Development: Implications for NGOs

The rights-based approach (RBA) emerged as a new development paradigm in the late 1990s. Within ten years, it had swept through the websites, policy papers and official rhetoric of multi-lateral development agencies, bi-lateral donors, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) throughout the global development assistance sector. Today, specialized consultants and advisors are elaborating and mainstreaming the paradigm through reports, workshops, and project evaluations, ensuring that rights-based thinking will continue to proliferate for years to come. Many view this trend with excitement, highlighting the normative and practical value of injecting human rights principles into standard development thinking and practice. These commentators hope rights-based approaches will empower marginalized groups, focus attention on inequality, and boost state and donor accountability. Skeptics, however, fear the emergence of yet another development fad. What, then, is really happening? Is the rights-based approach having observable impacts? This Article proposes five hypotheses about the likely impact of rights-based approaches on the work, structure, and number of NGOs involved in the development process. If the rights-based paradigm is having real effects, we should be able to observe its traces in the work and activities of development-related NGOs that accept overseas resources and aid.

Can NGOs regulate medicines markets? Social enterprise in wholesaling, and access to essential medicines

BackgroundCitizens of high income countries rely on highly regulated medicines markets. However low income countries' impoverished populations generally struggle for access to essential medicines through out-of-pocket purchase on poorly regulated markets; results include ill health, drug resistance and further impoverishment. While the role of health facilities owned by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in low income countries is well documented, national and international wholesaling of essential medicines by NGOs is largely unstudied. This article describes and assesses the activity of NGOs and social enterprise in essential medicines wholesaling.MethodsThe article is based on a set of interviews conducted in 2006-8 with trading NGOs and social enterprises operating in Europe, India and Tanzania. The analysis applies socio-legal and economic perspectives on social enterprise and market regulation.ResultsTrading NGOs can resist the perverse incentives inherent in medicines wholesaling and improve access to essential medicines; they can also, in definable circumstances, exercise a broader regulatory influence over their markets by influencing the behaviour of competitors. We explore reasons for success and failure of social enterprise in essential medicines wholesaling, including commercial manufacturers' market response; social enterprise traders' own market strategies; and patterns of market advantage, market segmentation and subsidy generated by donors.ConclusionsWe conclude that, in the absence of effective governmental activity and regulation, social enterprise wholesaling can improve access to good quality essential medicines. This role should be valued and where appropriate supported in international health policy design. NGO regulatory impact can complement but should not replace state action.

“Profoundly Ungrateful”: The Paradoxes of Thatcherism in Northern Ireland

In the 1980s, the Thatcher governments increased funding for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Northern Ireland. This was partly a consequence of neoliberal policies that subcontracted public services to private bodies; as a result, NGOs became more firmly incorporated into the welfare state. However, increased entanglements of NGOs and state did not create passive state subjects. Instead, NGO activity remained rooted in local communities, animated by a common ethic of welfare as entitlement and changing nationalist and loyalist orientations to the state. When the government attempted to redirect NGO funding, cross‐community opposition emerged, despite long‐standing political polarization between nationalists and loyalists. This article describes how NGOs were driven by a local ethic and how their alliance successfully framed state subsidy as social justice. This example supports a broader argument that NGO practices are not neatly determined by a logic of global, universal neoliberalism but are profoundly shaped by local ethical regimes.

“Babylon Makes the Rules”: Compliance, Fear, and Self‐Discipline in the Quest for Official NGO Status

As untrained social agents endeavor to create new, grassroots nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), they quickly discover that in order for their nascent organizations to gain official status, and thus enjoy the benefits that come with it, they must first do the compliance necessary to register with the government agency or agencies responsible for regulating and monitoring their practices. Although it may not be regarded as such, the official registration process is more than just a means to an end; it has the power to produce new subjectivities that organize and constrain the social experience of NGO activism. As discontented citizens attempt to realize their unique visions of social justice by entering the field of NGO‐based social activism, they “fall into” a habitus that disposes them to certain patterns of thought and behavior while rendering other patterns undesirable. This article uses ethnographic accounts of the evolution of a local development NGO founded and administered by Rastafari elders in Trinidad, West Indies, to illustrate how this habitus, a product of the iterative experiences surrounding the establishment and maintenance of an official NGO, structures the way grassroots social activists, with little or no prior administrative experience, understand, and respond to the problems and situations they encounter as they attempt to create their own NGOs.