Introduction
A non-governmental organization can be defined as a unit or association that is mainly operated for the interests of the members and the public. It is not created by the government although it may cooperate with it in some instances.
Most non-governmental organizations are established to serve the public as opposed to being there for private benefit. They are known for their emphasis on promotion of humanitarian issues, provision of development aid and sustainable development among the people they serve (Sundstrom 2006).
Development on the other hand entails the systematic use of knowledge (technical and scientific) to make some progress through achievement of specific objectives or needs in the society (Dale 2000). This piece of work looks into non-governmental organizations and their contribution towards development.
NGOs and Development
According to Welch (2001), Non- governmental organizations and their activities have been faced with a lot of controversy in regard to whether they make any positive efforts towards development or not with some individuals and agencies arguing that they use funds they get from the government and other donors in an inappropriate manner while others state that they have been very effective in promoting development.
All in all, it is evident that most non- governmental organizations have done great in the society especially in the elimination of poverty related issues which are considered as a drawback towards the process of development (The main goal of development is usually the alleviation of poverty and hence non-government organizations have played a primary but major role in the development process) (Narasaiah 2005).
This has been achieved through charitable activities aimed at uplifting the status of people in the society and empowering them in a great way such that they are able to live a better and more comfortable life free from problems associated with poverty and poor living conditions (Carroll 1992).
Apart from alleviating poverty, non-governmental organizations are involved with various roles and responsibilities, for instance, research work aimed at gathering new ideas and knowledge that can in one way or the other promote development, participating in various negotiations with various bodies and donors on behalf of the community, contestation for the sake of the public, lobbying or advocating for the public where need arise as well as service delivery whereby the non-governmental organizations practically deliver some services to members of the society aimed at satisfying their specific needs; for example health services, education services among others all aimed at uplifting the living standards of the involved individuals.
From the roles and responsibilities mentioned above, it is clear that non-governmental organizations are a positive factor towards enhancing development as they help in reducing various aspects that are known to be a building block towards the process of development (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Centre 1983).
Stiles (2002) asserts that as a way of enhancing development, non-governmental organizations have been in the lead in the promotion of various positive movements aimed at fostering development for instance environment conservation movements, human rights movements especially in regard to women, children, the disabled as well as the less fortunate and marginalized people (Rugendyke 2007).
This shows that even though non-governmental organizations are not the key actors of development, they have to a great extent promoted development through collaboration with other bodies and hence they have been recognized as a catalyst of development through their practices that entail allowing for participation for all, equality and empowerment, and sustainability among other aspects aimed at enhancing development.
Non-governmental organizations are usually very supportive in terms of initiating and implementing development related projects due to the fact that they tend to be very large and relatively active in nature.
They are also independent and hence they are able to easily enjoy a strong sense of community involvement making the projects successful as they usually have the interest of the community from the initial stages and the people are eager to see to it that the specific objectives are met as they know that it is for their own benefit (Hart 2011).
It is true to say that most non-government organizations usually have the will and even make a lot of efforts to ensure that their developmental projects prosper but their efforts are cut short by the fact that their source of funding is limited and usually unreliable making their strength to be insufficient to make adequate moves (Michael 2004).
The problem of funding is more so since the non-governmental organizations do not usually have enough money on their own as they are non profit making and hence depend on various donors for survival; an aspect that affect their progress negatively especially if the funding is not reliable as it brings to a halt, most of their practices, making the final results to be inappropriate due to failure in meeting deadlines an aspect that is very crucial for full satisfaction (Butcher 2007).
According to Pomerantz (2004), women are a critical element when it comes to the aspect of development as they play a great role. It has therefore become necessary for them to be empowered so that they can make the necessary progress.
Non government organizations have played a great part in implementing strategies aimed at supporting women’s empowerment and transformation in gender relations.
The non-governmental organizations have for instance been able to address gender issues at primary level and basing on the issues; they have tried to develop programs that empower the people more especially the women (Powell and Seddon1997, Sweetman, 2001).
Initially, there had been some assumptions by the non government organizations that empowering the women financially would solve most of their problems for instance violence, mobility and proper family management but it was later discovered later that there is more to financial empowerment and the women need more psychological support to be able to be independent and hence make positive progress in their families and the society at large, and necessary changes are now implemented to cater for this (Bendell 2000).
Conclusion
It is evident that non-governmental organizations are very essential when it comes to the concept of development due to the contributions they make in the society especially through charitable activities and practices.
Non-governmental organizations have been able to address the root causes of poverty among members of the society hence enhancing the process of development since development’s main goal is that of alleviating poverty.
Most non-governmental organizations are usually set up to deal with a specific concept in the society for instance women empowerment, environmental conservation, provision of health care among others making them successful due to the advantage of specialization and community support.
Reference List
Bendell, J. 2000. Terms for Endearment: Business, NGOs and Sustainable Development. UK: Greenleaf Publishing.
Butcher, J. 2007. Ecotourism, NGOs and Development: A Critical Analysis. New York: Taylor & Francis.
Carroll, T. F. 1992. Intermediary NGOs: The Supporting Link in Grassroots Development. West Hartford: Kumarian Press.
Dale, R. 2000.Organisations and Development: Strategies, Structures, and Processes. New Delhi: SAGE.
Hart, B. 2011. “Business Plan Reporting for NGOs for Social Development”. Ehow. [Online] Web.
Michael, S. 2004. Undermining Development: The Absence of Power among Local NGOs in Africa. Oxford: James Currey Publishers.
Narasaiah M.L. 2005. NGOs and Rural Poverty. USA: Discovery Publishing House.
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Centre 1983. The Role of Non-governmental Organizations in Development co-Operation. Paris: OECD Publishing.
Pomerantz, R. P. 2004. Aid Effectiveness in Africa: Developing Trust between Donors and Government. Oxford: Lexington Books.
Powell, M and Seddon, D. 1997. NGOs & the Development Industry. Review of African Political Economy Vol. 24, No. 71.
Rugendyke, B.2007. NGOs as Advocates for Development in a Globalizing World. New York: Taylor & Francis.
Stiles, K. W. 2002. Civil Society by Design: Donors, NGOs, and the Intermestic Development Circle in Bangladesh. West Port: Greenwood Publishing Group.
Sundstrom, L.M. 2006.Funding Civil Society: Foreign Assistance and NGO Development in Russia. Stanford: Stanford University Press.
Sweetman, C. 2001. Gender, Development and Money. Oxford: Oxfam Welch, E.C. 2001. NGOs and Human Rights: Promise and Performance. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.