- module 3 (c): local environmental policy - ngos/npos and local environmental policy
TRANSCRIPT
- Module 3 (c): Local Environmental Policy -
NGOs/NPOs
andLocal Environmental Policy
Governments
Business andIndustry
NGOs andCommunities
Module 1: Global
Environmental Policy
Module 2: National
Environmental Policy
Module 3: Local
Environmental Policy
Class Matrix
Today
Types of NGOs
Individual NGOs vary enormously according to their purpose, philosophy, sector expertise and scope of activities
Some are also affiliated with world bodes or companies
E.g. World Bank, UN
NGOs can be classified by whether; – they are more relief or development-oriented – they are religious or secular– they stress service delivery or participation – they are more public or private-oriented
Impact of the NGO sector
It is now estimated that over 15 percent of total overseas development aid is channelled through NGOs (World Bank)
Total NGO numbers are hard to pin down for good reason; Current estimates put the number of NGOs around;
– 6,000 and 30,000 national NGOs in developing countries– 29,000 approximate international NGOs – Community based organizations across the developing and
developed world that number in the hundreds of thousands (World Bank,
Economist)
Trends in the NGO sector
Over the past several decades, NGOs have become major players in the field of international development
Since the mid-1970s, the NGO sector in both developed and developing countries has experienced exponential growth
According to the World Bank, from 1970 to 1985 total development aid disbursed by international NGOs increased ten-fold
This trend peaked in 1992 with $7.6 billion dollars being distributed by NGOs to developing countries
Reasons for NGO growth
NGO growth has resulted primarily from Governments increasingly using them to dispense their aid
Not a matter of charity, but privatization
(e.g. Between 1990-1994 the EU’s relief aid channelled through NGOs rose from 47% to 67%)
Governments have realized that NGOs provide a number of advantages that government sponsored programs don’t have
Advantages
Can go places and undertake missions in areas where governments can’t go
More cost efficient than governments Strong grassroots links Field-based development expertise The ability to innovate and adapt Participatory methodologies and tools Long-term commitment and emphasis on sustainability
Limitations of NGOs
limited financial and management expertise limited institutional capacity low levels of self-sustainability isolation/lack of inter-organizational communication and/or
coordination small scale interventions lack of understanding of the broader social or economic
context
Why are NGOs/NPOs important?
Why are NGOs/NPOs important at the local level?
• They are the ‘third’ sector after (1) local governments and (2) business and industry
• They do what local governments cannot do …
• They are a means of collecting local knowledge and experiences
• They can mobilize people to care for the environment
• Arguments made for NGOs by their supporters:– flexibility– cost-effectiveness– closeness to the ground– ability to innovate
• Arguments against NGOsby their critics:– small scale of impacts– malleability to other interests– lack of accountability– low level of professionalis
Why are NGOs/NPOs important?
• The recent high profile of NGOs in development during the past two decades– donor frustrations with prevailing models of government to
government development assistance– broader ascendancy of neo-liberal policy orthodoxies
requiring flexible governance– citizen action against authoritarian regimes in Latin
America and Eastern Europe• Far longer existence of NGOs which goes back two centuries
or more, with continuities and change across national, regional and international contexts
Why are NGOs/NPOs important?
• Increased interest in NGOs is an outcome of changing ideological and political ideas abou tthe role of the state and the market
• Analysis of NGOs needs linking to to broader policy ideas about ‘good governance’ - i.e. a virtuous triangle of state, market and ‘third sector’
Why are NGOs/NPOs important?
What do NGOs/NPOs do at the local level?
They work on three main actions/issues
Educationand
Awareness
Researchand
Assessment
Practiceand
Action
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Educationand
Awareness
NGOs at the Local Level: Education and Awareness
Researchand
Assessment
Practiceand
Action
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Education and awareness is the most important category of activities of NGOs/NPOs. This is needed for understanding and taking action, for example, on an environmental problem.
Use information fromlocal governments
and universities
Deliver toCitizens groupsand individuals
Educationand
Awareness
NGOs at the Local Level: Education and Awareness
Researchand
Assessment
Practiceand
Action
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NGO/NPO
in
out
Educationand
Awareness
NGOs at the Local Level: Education and Awareness
Researchand
Assessment
Practiceand
Action
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11Example:
The environmental NGO, “CASA” (Citizens' Alliance for Saving the Atmosphere and the Earth) has worked with a range of Japanese and overseas NGOs to raise awareness on the impact of climate change, and implement a public education programme on CO2 emissions etc.
http://www.netplus.ne.jp/~casa/index2.html
Educationand
Awareness
NGOs at the Local Level: Research and Assessment
Researchand
Assessment
Practiceand
Action
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Research and assessment activities help NGOs/NPOs to develop an accurate picture of the current state of the environment, and provide correct information for action to all local stakeholders.
Use information fromresearch institutions
and local govt.s
Deliver tobusinesses/industry
citizens groups
NGOs at the Local Level: Research and Assessment
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NGO/NPO
Educationand
Awareness
Researchand
Assessment
Practiceand
Action
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in
out
NGOs at the Local Level: Research and Assessment
22Example:Education
andAwareness
Researchand
Assessment
Practiceand
Action
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33The environmental NGO, “JfS” (Japan for Sustainability) does extensive research and collects information on sustainability activities in Japan and distributes it to users all over the world.
http://www.japanfs.org/index_j.html
Educationand
Awareness
NGOs at the Local Level: Practice and Action
Researchand
Assessment
Practiceand
Action
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Practice and action is where NGOs/NPOs can demonstrate their knowledge and strengths in managing the local environment. Much of this is done through partnership and collaboration with other local stakeholders.
Use information fromlocal governments
and businesses
Deliver toall local
stakeholders
in
out
NGOs at the Local Level: Practice and Action
33
NGO/NPO
Educationand
Awareness
Researchand
Assessment
Practiceand
Action
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NGOs at the Local Level: Practice and Action
33Example:
Educationand
Awareness
Researchand
Assessment
Practiceand
Action
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33SHAPLA NEER (Citizens' Committee in Japan for Overseas Support) has directly cooperated with 12,000 households in Bangladesh, Nepal, and other Asian countries. Its projects have included health, education, job training, microfinance, forestry etc.
http://www.shaplaneer.org/
Website for info on NGOs world-wide
Have a look at the
NGO Café!!
There are a number of resources on NGOs
world-wide.
http://www.gdrc.org/ngo/
Governments
Business andIndustry
NGOs andCommunities
Module 1: Global
Environmental Policy
Module 2: National
Environmental Policy
Module 3: Local
Environmental Policy
Seminar Matrix