Muhammad Dhia Naufal Siraj

20180510124

NGO Studies Final Exam (Group 2)

1. What is the main idea of the article?

The main idea in article 2 is how the development of NGOs so far. In this article, it was
written that the differences between the past and present NGOs, but in this article the
discussion is more towards an NGO called CARE which has the goal of eradicating poverty
and hunger in the world by working with women and girls. But first, I want to discuss how
the differences between NGOs then and now are. In the past, NGOs like this did work for
humanity, they tried to help needy people in the world on their own terms without
intervention from the state or government. They try to raise funds, make donations, share
primary needs for people in need. However, this kind of thing might work but they also have
to think more deeply, that kind of assistance would of course be very helpful but to be more
effective they have to find the root causes of this poverty and hunger, and of course it has to
do with the local government.

Therefore, the NGOs are now trying to sue the government of the countries concerned to
jointly solve this problem through their advocacy and diplomacy, by working with the
government there is definitely politicization there but the NGOs are trying their best not to
take sides so that there is no conflict, this still has to be done so that the root of the problem
can be solved. Not only for that reason, NGO does this also to influence the policy even the
politics to be more humanitarian and more prosperous in the country just to reach their goals.
This article also shows how CARE as an NGO is growing rapidly and has proven to be able
to help countries experiencing this problem and help solve the root of the problem by trying
to propose the country concerned so that the problem can be resolved, although CARE is still
in the process of doing that but it is surely be able to make significant changes in the country.

2. What the power of NGO according the article?

In the article, it was stated that NGOs are strong enough for the problems their members
want to face. Since NGOs are independent movements, they can still work according to their
goals without intervention. Then because of that independent movement therefore people can
help and participate in fighting for what they provide, the example in this article has
presented some assets that I think can be a strength in NGOs, one of the fifth assets, which is
that the size of the NGO CARE which is not only a very large contribution in funds, but the
number of individuals who are members of the NGO is very large so that things like this are
very influential and become one of their strengths. Besides that its stated in the article that
NGO can work to promote social and political change on a broad scale very locally, they help
develop and improving the communities.

3. In what field/are the NGO’s has pivotal/significant role?

In general, NGOs have a significant role in many things such as humanity, the
environment, the economy, even development and infrastructure. However, if we look at this
article which discusses more about CARE, you can see that NGOs have a significant role in
humanitarian assistance. Not only that, NGOs also help to maintain world peace. But of
course, this needs to be done by doing something whether its aid, advocacy or campaigning
and I think NGOs have an important role to play in that. There are various areas of concern
for NGOs, however the role of NGOs is as providing services and services to communities in
need and the role of NGOs in pioneering ideas on social change. Through something that
NGOs do, they will be able to make people aware of an issue and influence the decision-
making process. Then, NGOs reflect the cooperative relationship between NGOs and the
government, donor agencies, or private institutions.

4. What the kind of relationship between NGO and the state?

NGOs to the state can become part of the power of the establishment or influence in
politics. They cease to be a democratic power while NGOs partner with the state. Other work
criticizes NGOs for usurping the role of the state in supplying its people in developed
countries with vital resources that can have important political, economic, and social benefits.
NGO operates is likely to influence the degree to which the state supports a development
project and, consequently, how the NGO carries out its work. In this article, it reveals that
NGOs such as CARE engaged in humanitarian medical projects aim to offer services to those
most in need, while the state, depending on its desire and ability to participate, permits or
limits the actions of NGOs, thus influencing the results of the project. The brokerage of the
Alliance helps NGO who may lack power in the state sector to build on partnerships with
powerful players in or outside it to obtain direct access to, improve their prestige within, or
indirectly influence decision-making in the state sector.

The brokerage of the alliance strains the potentially transferable essence of authority, ties
with influential players in non-state fields can become an important political resource, and
credibility in non-state fields can promote access to state fields. As stated in the article, the
leaders of NGOs now realize that promoting development and reducing poverty must be
political in at least three different senses which are NGOs must be aware of the distributive
aspects of their work, understanding the reduction of poverty in terms of increases in
empowerment and to sustain the changes they want to see in the world. For example, U.S.-
based NGOs including CARE now seek to influence government policies both in the
developing countries where they work and in the United States. NGOs are training citizens in
poor communities to hold their governments accountable and building constituencies in the
United States to demand effective policies to reduce global poverty. In my perspective, the
kind of relationship that NGOs try to make is to collaborate with the state to bring benefits.

5. How does the article contribute towards studies of NGO?

I think this kind of article is quite helpful in studies of NGO because this article contains
information that is not deeply discussed in class or lectures. This article also discusses how
NGOs have developed in the past and now so that I can find out the differences. Moreover,
this article specifically discusses the role of NGOs and related countries to how they can
influence politics in a country with the example of NGO CARE where they play a lot in
helping the world community and how they try to influence their government to help solve
these problems. Then for students like me of course this article helps increase my knowledge
because by knowing new information and the latest updates I get new insights that are useful
for developing my studies at NGOs.

With a lot of discussion about NGO CARE, I can also find out how NGOs in this field
work. I can also find out the root of the problem so that it can be discussed further. Then for
the development of NGO studies itself in general, of course, this article has a contribution
because every article must have contain something new, whether it is analysis, problem
solving, or information which can be used to study NGOs further. More specifically, this
article refers to NGOs and World Politics where it is written that NGOs not only help reduce
poverty and hunger but they also try to help reduce conflicts that exist such as in Iraq because
this conflict is also related to humanity so that it makes us realize that NGO is a broad
movement that does not only focus on one problem but can also spread to something related
to humanity and peace.

6. What is your critique towards the topic/article?

 Overall, this article is good with a fairly detailed explanation and a thorough discussion of
the case, maybe I will only criticize the discussion in this article. In my opinion, the mission
of NGOs to influence policy in a country is indeed good, but in reality NGOs themselves are
much politicized and used as tools for several individuals or groups. This may arise due to the
wrong approach of NGOs towards certain groups or certain countries. Moreover, in this
article it is also written that NGOs also interfere in a conflict, which is quite risky to do and
as in the example in that article where many people are drawn on the grounds of being
worried about their safety. It is possible for NGOs to pay attention to things like this to
remain careful in making a decision.

NGOs must be aware that in order to advance an optimistic vision, they have to use the
influence purposefully. When they can bring their values, experience, impartiality, and access
to bear and when their goals align with their large constituency, they can be successful. By
far, they are not the world's greatest political influence, but they may be the strongest sincere
effort to end world poverty.