Personally, I dislike many NGOs working in the DR. At first glance you think they are doing good things as they claim (and quite a few actually are doing what they claim to be doing), but the moment you begin to scratch the surface things turn sour and fast.
Not surprisingly, I'm not the only one who have noticed this discrepancy and in fact, another DR1 member provided a quote on another thread in which it equated NGOs to modern imperialists or something of the sort.
Now, to be fair I will quote Chiri (there could be a conflict of interest there, but lets continue) when she once said to me "well NALs, there are NGOs and then there are NGOs". The meaning being that some NGOs do their work while others don't. Ok, fair enough, but lets focus on the aspects of NGOs which are less than ideal.
I will provide a few quotes below from a source and at the bottom you will have links to various sources criticizing NGOs for various things that are not apparent at first glance, but with further investigation of your most favorite NGO you will notice how much truth exist in such criticisms.
The Self-Appointed Altruists
Imperialism and NGOs in Latin America
How Genuine Are NGOs?
Why NGOs Will Never Change the World
You let her into your house?: Reflections on the politics of aid in Africa
Sins of NGOs
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Do you think NGOs working in the DR are doing what they claim?
Do you have knowledge of NGO abuses or arrogance within the DR?
Have you witnessed something from an NGO you been wanting to get off your chest?
Speak now or remain quiet forever.
-NALs
Not surprisingly, I'm not the only one who have noticed this discrepancy and in fact, another DR1 member provided a quote on another thread in which it equated NGOs to modern imperialists or something of the sort.
Now, to be fair I will quote Chiri (there could be a conflict of interest there, but lets continue) when she once said to me "well NALs, there are NGOs and then there are NGOs". The meaning being that some NGOs do their work while others don't. Ok, fair enough, but lets focus on the aspects of NGOs which are less than ideal.
I will provide a few quotes below from a source and at the bottom you will have links to various sources criticizing NGOs for various things that are not apparent at first glance, but with further investigation of your most favorite NGO you will notice how much truth exist in such criticisms.
"Western NGOs are the heirs to the Victorian tradition of "White Man's Burden"... They closely collaborate with Western governments and institutions against local governments and institutions. They are powerful, rich, and care less about the welfare of the indigenous population than about "universal" principles of ethical conduct."
"...[NGOs] attract narcissistic opportunists who regards NGOs as venues of upward social mobility and self-enrichment. Many NGOs serve as sinecures, "manpower sinks", or "employment agencies" - they provide work to people who, otherwise, are unemployable. Some NGOs are involved in political networks of patronage, nepotism, and cronyism."
"If [the NGO own or run commercial enterprises], it is a corrupt and compromised NGO involved in conflicts of interest."
" [NGOs] disrupt local economies to the detriment of the impoverished populace. They impose alien religious or Western values. They justify military interventions. They maintain commercial interests which compete with indigenous manufacturers. They provoke unrest in many a place..."
"The trouble is that, as opposed to most governments in the world, NGOs are authoritarian. They are not elected institutions. They cannot be voted down. The people have no power over them. Most NGOs are ominously and tellingly secretive about their activities and finances."
"The assumption that the West has the monopoly on ethical values is undisguised cultural chauvinism. This arrogance is the 21st century equivalent of the colonialism and racism of the 19th and 20th century. Local populations throughout the world resent this haughty presumption and imposition bitterly."
"...NGOs are proponents of modern Western values - democracy, women's lib, human rights, civil rights, the protection of minorities, freedom, equality. Not everyone finds this liberal menu palatable. The arrival of NGOs often provokes social polarization and cultural clashes."
The Self-Appointed Altruists
Imperialism and NGOs in Latin America
How Genuine Are NGOs?
Why NGOs Will Never Change the World
You let her into your house?: Reflections on the politics of aid in Africa
Sins of NGOs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you think NGOs working in the DR are doing what they claim?
Do you have knowledge of NGO abuses or arrogance within the DR?
Have you witnessed something from an NGO you been wanting to get off your chest?
Speak now or remain quiet forever.
-NALs