Role Of Non-governmental Organizations Research Articles

Benevolence or Selfishness: Understanding the Increasing Role of Turkish NGOs and Civil Society in Africa

Turkey has changed its policy in Africa since 2005 and developed a more active role to cement its political, economic and social relations with African countries. For instance, while Turkey had only 12 embassies around the continent in 2002, it now has 35. Its economic relations with Africa have also increased significantly over the past decade. Although its total trade was 2 billion dollars in 2002, it boomed to 22 billion dollars in 2013. Turkish non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations have also boosted their humanitarian activities in Africa. They have established hospitals, mosques, orphanages, schools and colleges, opened water wells and provided free cataract surgeries. This article will examine why Turkish NGOs and civil society organisations have increased their humanitarian assistance in Africa since 2002. The research will also uncover the main motivations to the increasing role of Turkish NGOs and civil society organisations on the continent of Africa.

Sustainable Forest Management: The Role of Government Agencies, NGOs, and Local Communities in Western Australia

This article details the engagement by the Department of Physical Geography of Utrecht University in the Netherlands with rural communities and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to assist them in gaining a better understanding of the environmental impacts of the management practices of the governmental forest authorities of the state of Western Australia in pursuit of international timber exports. The study commences with a description of the unique characteristics of WA’s forest communities. It continues with an account of governmental international forest policy norms and the discourse of sustainable forest management (SFM). This is followed by a delineation of the interactions between the academic community and civil society in their engagement with governmental departments in arguing the case for conservation. The final section makes some concluding observations on the lessons that can be learned from the failure of the state government to ensure the sustainable management of the forests of Western Australia.

The Island's Society and Voluntary Role of NGOs in The Post-Tsunami Period

The existence of Non-Governmental Organization in Indian society is as old as the existence of human civilization. The very root of volunteerism may be found in the ancient as well as medieval period. During 19th century, the volunteerism was manifested in diverse forms like religion and social reforms, where efforts were made to remove certain evil customs and practices both in Hindu and Muslim societies. In the modern times, the voluntary services have become so large that it is not possible for the government alone to tackle it. The Non-Governmental Organizations [NGOs] have not only undertaken constructive works but have also exercised surveillance over the government in its role and accountabilities towards society at large. These is a close relations in between massive earthquake, followed by killer Tsunami hit on 26th December 2004 in Indian Ocean and emergence of services of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in the Andaman and Nicobar island‘s society.

English

In the early 1990s Tajikistan emerged from the soviet union as new country. It disrupted all the services including educational enjoying Tajik people under USSR. The post-Soviet period in the region has been tumultuous and uncertain. The educational transition, its   tasks and exact prospects seems unclear and bleak. Education spending suffered a rapid decline, rolling-back some of the achievements the sector enjoyed during the previous period. Pre-school enrolments have dropped to a fraction of their previous levels, school enrolment rates are slipping, education quality is at risk and vast numbers of youth, over half the populations, have no prospects of finding work. As a consequence, the issues of access and equity in education have become more pronounced: women and girls are worse off, rural areas more marginalized and minorities are under threat. Under such situation the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) becomes natural to rebuild the disruptive system. The present study is an attempt to analyze the role of NGOs in this regard.   Key words: - NGOs, education, development, higher education, USSR, indoctrination, civil society

NGOs and Social Protection in East Asia: Korea, Thailand and Indonesia

This article analyzes the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in social protection in East Asia. The article focuses on two types of NGO roles in social protection—direct provision and indirect pressure—and examines how the relative proportions of the two types of roles vary by country in East Asia, depending on factors that are contextual (political democratization), pulling (developmental welfare state), or pushing (civil society). A comparative analysis of Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia reveals that each represents a differing mix of pressure and provision functions by NGOs in social protection. In Korea pressure seems to be the main role of NGOs; in Indonesia it is provision; while in Thailand pressure and provision are relatively evenly mixed. The study concludes with a summary of the research findings, discussion on the limitations of the paper, and suggestions for future research in order to develop more sophisticated accounts of NGO roles in social protection in East Asia.

Knowledge and Roles of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Anambra State

The study ascertained knowledge and perceived roles of state based-Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in climate change mitigation and adaptation in Anambra State, Nigeria. Multistage random sampling technique was employed to select thirty five respondents from 4 local government areas and 7 NGOs in the state while data were collected with questionnaire. Percentage and mean scores were used in analyzing the data. Results revealed that greater proportion (60%) of NGO members were not aware of climate change while about 63% indicated that issues on climate change have not been included in their programme. They perceived major causes of climate change as over industrialization (M=2.77) and use of automobiles (M=2.74) while land degradation and over flooding (M=2.77 each) were major effects of climate change. Proper land use and management (M=2.89) and reforestation/ (M=2.83) were mitigation measures while minimum tillage (M=2.74) and use of resistant varieties (M=) were adaptive measures to climate change as perceived by them. They further perceived creation of awareness and sensitization of rural people/farmers about climate change (77.1%each) and helping government in enforcement of policies and laws that will help to mitigate climate change (57.1%) as roles they can play in climate change mitigation and adaptation. They did not perceive any major problem that can mar their contributions to climate change issue. The study emphasized on the need for private sector especially NGOs investment and participation in global and sensitive issues like climate change. This will go a long way in discovering and disseminating quick and useful information on climate change and probably ultimate solution to it. Keywords Knowledge; roles; NGOs; climate chang

Global Governance and NGO Participation: Shaping the Information Society in the United Nations (Rethinking Globalizations Series)

While the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in world politics has grown in importance since the early 1990s, ‘global governance’ has become a fascinating subject in international public policy discourse today. In addition, since the contemporary debate over world governance obviously exists in the context of the United Nations (UN) and globalization, the global order is changing in response to the new challenges posed by political, economic, social and cultural changes in an increasingly interdependent and interconnected world. As keen academic attention is now paid to the issues of global governance and civil society in an era of information revolution, the above-mentioned book is certainly well timed and too important.

BUSINESS STRATEGY AND CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY: PERCEPTION AND PRACTICE IN THE OIL INDUSTRY AND THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS

This paper examines the strategies for the implementation of corporate social responsibility of various multinationals, with a particular focus on the oil industry. The role of non-governmental organisations towards inducing a more responsible behaviour is explored. By drawing on literature and reflecting on documented actions of various multinational corporations, particularly from the extractive sector, we find a commonalty that cuts across the board: a considerable disparity exists between policies, strategies and actions that these organisations display in the interest of their inherent, short-term economic gains. Such gains jeopardize interests of both internal and external stakeholders as well as the environment especially in the developing world. We argue that the disparity in implementation can be linked to weak structural institutions and lack of ethical standards in most developing countries.

NGOs, Turnout, and the Left

This article is designed to examine the role non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play in politics. Previous evidence suggests that NGOs mobilize communities to challenge existing patterns of authority or that they serve hand in glove with existing elites. We reconcile these two contradictory findings by identifying an important contextual feature that helps determine the extent NGOs mobilize or anesthetize. We argue that a community’s level of education influences not only whether people vote but how they vote. We employ a cross-sectional data set from Brazilian municipalities that allows us to estimate the relationship between NGOs, voting turnout, and electoral results. We find that although there is a significant statistical interaction between literacy and NGOs when explaining voting turnout, the effect is not substantively important. The interaction between literacy and NGOs is, however, an important consideration in determining how people vote: in communities with relatively low literacy rates, a robust NGO presence significantly increases the left’s electoral fortunes. Our findings imply the influence NGOs have on society is more political than social.

Role of non-governmental organizations in combating illegal wildlife–pet trade in Peru

Illegal trade in wild animals for pets is a global conservation and animal-welfare concern. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with different philosophical perspectives toward wildlife work to decrease illegal trade at international and national levels. Our objective was to examine the efforts of conservation and animal-welfare NGOs working to decrease illegal wildlife–pet trade for domestic markets in Peru. We identified 28 NGOs potentially engaged in reducing the trade, and conducted semi-structured interviews with ≥1 representative from each (N=33 interviews). Only five NGOs, each with a strong dual-perspective toward wildlife that prioritized both wildlife populations and individual wild animals, demonstrated high effort to decrease illegal wildlife–pet trade. These dual-perspective NGOs incorporated anti-trade efforts in all four work categories we identified (i.e., outreach, advocacy, development, and husbandry). Using thematic analysis of interview transcripts, we determined that dual-perspective interviewees were motivated to combat the trade by concern for individual animals and populations—in essence, their moral pluralism. Overall, interviewees considered the government lax with enforcement of wildlife legislation. Interview data suggest that the dual-perspective NGOs’ persistent efforts have decreased illegal wildlife–pet trade in two regions of Peru. We recommend that stakeholders and governments searching for collaborators to help curb illegal trade consider approaching NGOs with programs involving conservation of wildlife populations and individual wild animal welfare. We urge the scientific community to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies under different ecological and socio-economic conditions to assist on-the-ground efforts to decrease illegal wildlife–pet trade.

Judicial activism and human rights in Bangladesh: a critique

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the role of judicial activism as a golden mean approach of judiciary in protecting and promoting human rights from illegitimate interferences of government. With this aim, several case studies have been done on verdicts of higher judiciary in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is an exploratory case study focused on Bangladesh. The paper is qualitative in nature and based on secondary sources of published facts like books, journal articles and Dhaka Law Reports. Information also gathered through Internet browsing. Findings – Though judiciary is very effective to protect and promote human rights and rule of law in a country through judicial activism or public interest litigation, the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are crucial in Bangladesh. Delay and disposal of cases is one of the great impediments in the process of ensuring human rights in Bangladesh. Besides, negligence in implement the verdict of judiciary and interferences of executive over judiciary is another finding of this paper. Apart from these shortcomings, judicial activism is a very important potential instrument of judiciary to protect and promote human rights and the rule of law in Bangladesh. Research limitations/implications – The major limitation of this paper is it is based on secondary sources of information. It would have more rich if periodical data can be used for comparing theory and practice. Practical implications – This paper would be helpful for making a policy for overcoming limitations of judicial activism in Bangladesh to protect and promote human rights. Social implications – Social awareness can be build-up through NGOs and readers by disseminating and penetrating information of this paper’s findings and recommendations. Originality/value – This paper would an unique and add new knowledge in the literature of public interest litigation and Human Rights Law in the context of Bangladesh.

NGOs and the making of “development tourism destinations”

Summary This article explores the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the making of global tourism destinations. First, it draws together diverse insights in order to substantiate the importance of NGOs in the making of global tourism destinations and, second, it empirically highlights the role of NGOs in the (re)making of one particular destination: “destino Guatemala”. NGOs in La Antigua Guatemala are increasingly engaging with tourism as a NGO resource. In focusing on the NGO touristic practice of hosting storytelling events/activities in Antigua, some of which come to form virtual/actual “poverty tours”, the article argues that while Antigua NGOs develop and host these poverty tours as a means of moving “hearts and wallets”, they are doing considerably more. Most notably, they are helping to (re)make Guatemala into a “development tourism destination”.

An exploration of NGO and media efforts to influence workplace practices and associated accountability within global supply chains

This paper investigates how social and environmental non-government organisations (NGOs) use the news media in an endeavour to create changes in the social performance and associated accountability of multinational buying companies' (MBCs') supply chains located in a developing country such as Bangladesh. In this research, we explicitly seek the views of senior officers from global and local NGOs operating in Bangladesh, as well as the views of journalists from major global and local news media organisations. Our results show that social and environmental NGOs strategically use the news media in an effort to effect changes in corporate workplace and related disclosure practices. More particularly, both the NGOs and the news media representatives stated that NGOs would be relatively powerless to create change in corporate accountability without media coverage. This is the first known study to specifically address the joint and complementary role of NGOs and the news media in potentially creating changes in the social and environmental operating and disclosure practices of supply chains emanating from a developing country.

Role of Non-Governmental Organisations in Micro Finance through SHGs A Study in Vellore District of Tamil Nadu.

Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) played a vital role in rural reconstruction, agricultural development and rural development even during pre independent era in our country. In the post independent period the NGOs became a supplementary agency for the developmental activities of the government and in some cases they become alternative to the government. After the introduction of microfinance through Self-Help Groups (SHG), they penetrated into each and every corner in India and actually the NGOs are responsible for converting the pilot project of microfinance into a major programme and the NGOs are responsible for making the microfinance through SHG as the largest programme in the world. This paper analyses the role of NGOs in sustainable rural development through microfinance. The study reported that NGOs are playing vital role in the formation of SHGs and motivating women to join the groups and linking the groups with the banks for microfinance. But, Non-governmental Organisations played limited role in marketing the products of SHGs and release of subsidies.

The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Enablement

The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Enablement

The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Enablement

The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Enablement

Fostering of Civil Society by Muslim Women's NGOs in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Fostering of civil society is vital in multiethnic, multicultural, multi-religious and post-conflict societies such as that of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Therefore, this paper examines the role of Muslim women's non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in fostering of civil society in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In this regard, this paper puts in the perspective present role of Muslim women's NGOs by providing the theoretical background and a survey of NGOs in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In order to determine the role and function of Muslim women's NGOs, the author examines main criteria of civil society functions such as control of political power, monitoring of political participation and elections, promoting of anti-corruption awareness, advocating values of human rights, tolerance and understanding, offering civic training, promoting civic education and public issues through media, and promoting conflict resolution and interfaith dialogue. By analyzing civil society functions, this paper answers a question of Muslim women's NGOs involvement in socio-political aspects of a democratic state and fostering of civil society in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The author uses ethnographic methodology, written sources and interviews in analyzing two leading Muslim Women's NGOs such as Nahla Education Center for Women and Kewser-Zehra Association of Muslim Women. The results of this paper indicate that although Muslim women's NGOs in theory do not emphasize on several civil society actors, especially those of political and legal nature, they are significantly involved throughout their various activities in socio-political aspects of the democratic state and as such they have contributed significantly toward fostering of civil society in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Politics, the Media and NGOs: The Greek Experience

During the last decade, Greek non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have not only increased in number, but have also raised many questions regarding their legitimacy. Their image is negative. With that in mind, the aim of this article is to examine the environment within which Greek NGOs have to operate, and in particular, the interaction between NGOs, the state and the media. In so doing, the following questions will be asked and analysed: first, what is the role and position of Greek NGOs in their interaction with the political system and the media? Are they an expression of bottom-up and citizen volunteerism or a top-down process? How does this enhance or undermine their autonomy and credibility? Second, which opportunities are available to Greek NGOs in a society where culture, combined with the unprecedented economic crisis, heavily doubts and challenges their existence and importance?

The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in the Repatriation of Refugees

This paper examines the ethical responsibilities of those NGOs that assist in repatriating migrants from countries that do not want them -- in particular, the case of the South Sudanese in Israel. Did NGOs exploit these migrants by using repatriation to appeal to donors? Were NGOs complicit in a government policy that may have been unjust?

The role of non-governmental organizations in residential solid waste management: a case study of Puducherry, a coastal city of India.

Poorly planned and uncontrolled urbanization in India has caused a variety of negative, often irreversible, environmental impacts. The impacts appear to be unavoidable and not easily mitigable due to the mounting public health problems caused by non-segregation of solid wastes at source and their subsequent improper management. Recently in India, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other civil society organizations have increasingly started to get involved in improving waste management services. Municipal solid waste management being a governmental function, the contribution of NGOs in this field has not been well documented. This study highlights the activities and services of Shuddham, an NGO functioning in the town of Puducherry within the Union Territory of Puducherry in South India. The NGO program promoted much needed awareness and education, encouraged source separation, enhanced door-to-door collection, utilized wastes as raw materials and generated more job opportunities. Even though source separation prior to door-to-door collection is a relatively new concept, a significant percentage of residents (39%) in the study area participated fully, while a further 48% participated in the collection service. The average amount of municipal solid waste generated by residential units in the Raj Bhavan ward was 8582 kg/month of which 47% was recovered through active recycling and composting practices. The study describes the features and performance of NGO-mediated solid waste management, and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities and threats of this system to see whether this model can sustainably replace the low-performance conventional solid waste management in practice in the town of Puducherry. The experiences from this case study are expected to provide broad guidelines to better understand the role of NGOs and their contributions towards sustainable waste management practices in urban areas.