Message-ID: <cmcguire.1.3079D505@postbox.acs.ohio-state.edu> Date: Tue, 10 Oct 1995 02:05:57 GMT From: "Craig D. McGuire" <mailto:cmcguire@POSTBOX.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU> Subject: Re: Partners' seminar on NGO To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
I would like to follow up on Mr. Moura's second comment regarding collaboration among NGO's. I have just finished three months of data collection for my masters thesis on inter-institutional collaboration in a watershed management project in the Dominican Republic.My basic findings were that there is no effective collaboration among NGO's or even between NGO's and government agencies in this project. This is a project that proclaims a participatory and collaborative design; yet, I encountered many instances of a general lack of knowledge among the institutions involved as to what kind of work the other institutions are involved in. One of the major concerns that surfaced was a general feeling that the lead institution was concerned only about obtaining funds and eventually directing the project. Up until know there has been no substantial effort to incorporate the supposedly collaborating organizations and to solicit their ideas or establish their expected contribution to the project.
My general impression, as mentioned by Mr. Moura, is that NGO must learn to cooperate and collectively plan development projects within their geographic zone of influence. The problem that arises is that most NGOs have no tradition or experience collaborating. The problem gets even more complicated when government agencies enter the picture with their differing views on development activities and methods of project implementation.
I am in the process of writing up my findings and would be happy to distribute them to any interested parties. Additionally, if anyone would like to enter into a discussion regarding inter-institutional collaboration among NGOs and between NGOs and government agencies please post a message.
Thanks Craig McGuire OSU Rural Sociology mailto:mcguire.44@osu.edu
>2. The other point is related to a greater organization
>among these same NGOs. Each of them is involved with
>just their own objectives but these disarticulated and
>at random point-by-point approach is unable to promote the
>bigger change we are striving for. To believe that a lot
>of disarticulated NGOs will promote a significative change
>in the society's culture and future is the same that trust
>that a thousand of monkeys, each one typing a computer
>after a year could have produced some readable material.
>That seminar could be a great chance to discuss how all
>those NGOs could work together, could plan together the
>means to promote more significative changes, the critical
>aspects they could address together etc. This strategical
>approach is the same I have being suggesting to the
>international agencies which communicate through this
>list. Union and coordination, besides transnational
>awareness and communication - should be our distinctive
>operational characteristics.
>A last point: I was invited by the Partners to visit
>D.C. from October 28 to November 22, to meet the people
>who could help our D.C.-Brasilia project involving
>community, citizenship and youth development. I hope
>I will be able to meet people from VITA, VOCA, USAID
>Results and other important agencies settled in D.C.
>area. If you like to meet me to discuss about your
>current or future projects in Brazil, please advise me.
>If you would like to attend a meeting where we will
>be discussing Brazilian issues and perspectives,
>please tell me. (give me this pleasure, if you please).
>______________________________________________________________
>Joaquim Moura (all the controversial opinions are just personal)
>Youth & Citizenship Development Commission
>Partners of the Americas - Brasilia / Washington DC Committee
>SHCGN 713 - Bloco I - Apt. 202 - 70760-739 - Brazil
>Phone (55 61): 414-1904 (w); 273-5613 (h); 414-1898 (fax)