In regards to fighting poverty, the ultimate goal of government organizations and NGOs is to help the poor. There are systematic problems within government organizations and NGOs that do not allow their efforts to relieve poverty. The fatal flaws of these organizations are a lack of agreeability and communication. The lack of these traits has created a complicated disconnect between organizations. Therefore, efforts made by organizations clash instead of combine. Consequently, it is essential these organizations work together to help poor states and their people legitimately.
Evidence of issues between government organizations and NGOs have been present throughout decades with many countries. One example, found in the article “NGOs: Fighting Poverty, Hurting the Poor” highlights the downfall of a project that took place in 1999 in Qinghai, China. The World Bank was in charge of the project, and the goal was to move 58,000 farmers to a different part of the province with a dam. In relocating, farmers would receive 20 cents more a day and therefore poverty would be reduced. Since around 30 similar projects were successfully implemented in the past, this project was expected to be successful as well.
Sadly, because of misinformation, various activists and NGOs fought against the project. In short, activists and NGOs thought the Chinese farmers were being moved to a traditionally Tibetan area (Qinghai). The fact is, the proposed move of the 58,000 farmers would not relocate them into a “Tibetan” area. It would just move them to another area within their current province. The considerable confusion and disconnect arose because some Tibetan people were living in the province, but they only accounted for ⅕ of the people.
All the protesting from activists and NGOs is directly linked to miscommunication. Once all this incorrect information started circling within the media, activists monopolized on their gained support from the U.S. Congress and Hollywood actors to shut the plan down. How the World Bank responded to activists and NGOs highlights a fundamental flaw in communication. The World Bank did not make an effort to explain the facts of the project to critics accurately. Instead, the World Bank left the project. Since the project still went on, the environmental and social protection of the World Bank was unable to protect the 58,000 people. So, the people they wished to help suffer more.
If the World Bank utilized smarter methods of communication, it could have achieved a conjunction of effort towards shared goal. One intelligent method of communication to implement is transparency. Before it comes to the point where critics spread all their flawed ideas about the project, the organization sponsoring the project should post a clear, detailed outline of everything their plan includes. They could address policies in detail and how exactly this project will help people. More importantly, they could address questions of concern before anyone jumps to conclusions.
Also, it is important NGO’s, and activists make compromises to better communication. NGO’s and activists are known for supporting the underprivileged in a non-self serving way. To do so, these organizations often bash policies of government organizations. Their highly critical attitude towards governmental organizations is what gains them the trust of the general public, celebrities and the oppressed. It is excellent NGOs and activists want to banish corrupt regimes, but this notion can cloud their judgment. For example, in the Qinghai project, the miscommunication between activists and the World Bank led to the spread of false information about the project. After being publicly attacked by various NGOs, the World Bank left the project. As a result, the project lost around 300 million dollars. Because of this, the people in poverty went more months without clean water and electricity.
Overall, it is an absolute necessity that government organizations and nongovernment organizations communicate with each other to achieve consistent and concise communication. Once established, the organizations can move forward to work on their shared goal.
Source: NGOs: Fighting Poverty, Hurting the Poor -Sebastian Mallaby
This is a very interesting post! I agree that communication between government organizations and NGOs is a critical aspect of ensuring that each can carry out their tasks and goals, whether they be shared or not. Do you have any ideas as to how this could be achieved today? In your opinion, what would be the most effective way to establish connections between the government and NGOs?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brenna! In my opinion, the most effective way to establish connections between the government and NGOs would be holding conferences for each project. Because the conferences require face to face conversation, details and intent of the projects would be easier to understand. These conferences would be most useful if held before the start of the project. At the conferences, the government and NGOs could set policies and come to agreements before going forth with the projects. The agreements made could be documented in writing and include the signatures of both organizations. By documenting everything in writing and requiring signatures, both parties would be bound legally, making the possibility of corruption less likely.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYes, the NGO’s and activists are known for supporting the underprivileged, and to banish corrupt regimes. But, in few cases, the NGOs seems to halt everything the government does, and it is seen to be part of the problems. The project you mentioned in your post is an example to see that the NGOs abrupt the well-being of the poor people.Yes, it understandable that “miscommunication” is the cause to halt the project, but the NGOs should have critically analyzed the purpose of the project. I think I got your point right that both the World Bank and the NGOs are at fault, but the NGOs should have taken the matter in a different direction. Do you think the NGOs would let the project continue if the World Bank precisely explain the purpose of the project?
ReplyDeleteGood points, Riten! I agree, when there is a disconnect between the NGOs and government organizations, NGOs have definitely gone full force and shut down a plan due to misinformation. I do believe NGOs would've let the Qinghai project continue if they were provided more information from the World Bank. Since the World Bank's intentions with the project wouldn't have actually caused damage to the people, their explanation to NGOs would have been comforting and therefore confirmed the positives of the project.
DeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog post, Liz! I found your topic to be very interesting and your argument was clear and detailed! I can definitely see how miscommunication can be a major problem between government organizations and nongovernment organizations and why the need for efficient communication is so crucial. Do you think that their are other methods of efficient communication between government organizations and NGOs besides transparency?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Victoria! There are definitely more efficient methods of communication in addition to transparency. Some other methods of efficient communication are oral and written. The government and non government organizations can use these methods of communication to establish clear agreements and rules. It is critical these organizations utilize these methods so that projects can run as smoothly as possible.
ReplyDeleteReally insightful post! The limitations of miscommunication in large welfare projects seems to be such a hindrance on improvement. I agree that as you describe, sometimes when facts are not clear, the government and NGOs get in each others way even though they may have the same goals in mind. Since NGOs tend to be non-state actors, can you think of a good way to help them communicate with their state-run government counterparts? would some form of an institution work better and closing the communication gap?
ReplyDelete