FREE ESSAY ON NGOS: HELP OR HINDRANCE?

NGOS: HELP OR HINDRANCE?

NGOs: Help or Hindrance?
In his article, John McCormick establishes that the number of NGOs present in the world
today probably exists well into the six figures (P. 60). Assuming that the role of NGOs
is to keep governmental organizations in check when it comes to environmental issues, it
frustrated me to think that there actually could be such problems with environmental
issues. Certainly hundreds of thousands of such organizations must be able to regulate
the environment in an efficient manner so to keep the major problems in check, right? But
I soon learned that the NGOs themselves, are often corrupt in their cooperation and may
actually hinder the regulation of environmental standards.
Before attacking these NGOs, their specific contributions to environmental protections
must be established. It seems that NGOs made the most significant gains at and after the
Stockholm conference. They established specific practices that were aimed at protecting
the environment not only at national levels, but internationally. NGOs acted as liasons
between nations with alternative views. Most importantly, these NGOs were established to
communicate the goals of such conferences as Stockholm and the Brundtland Commission, and
to pressure cooperating nations into achieving these goals without the type of pressure
that would create chaos amongst the nations.
Key to the growth of NGOs was the rapid advancement of communication technology. Not only
did these advances in communication help to build stronger bonds among NGOs, but it also
spurred on the growth of umbrella bodies for smaller local organizations. The Phillipines
alone have 18,000 NGOs (McCormick 59).
I find that this huge number of NGOs, while at first may seem beneficial, most likely act
to oppose each other. In a country the size of the Phillipines, I find it hard to
believe, however environmentally aware its people are, that there can exist so many
separate groups fighting for a similar cause. Which brings me to the limitations of the
NGOs. It seems that with so many organizations worldwide working towards bettering the
environment, there lacks an overall unity binding the groups together to reach a common
goal.
Just as governmental agencies have run into problems internationally when it comes to
agreeing on environmental issues, NGOs have come across similar obstacles in their
attempt to protect the environment. The usual rivalry of northern industrialized views
opposing those of the emerging southern ideals can be seen at the level of NGOs as well.
So now, instead of governments arguing over environmental restrictions and allowances,
the NGOs have joined in the fight. Does this necessarilly help the situation? Most likely
the answer is no. In fact, the NGOs may be acting as salt in wounds that are already
bleeding.
Part of the problem with these differing views is the formations of Federations within
the boundaries of international NGOs. While the joining of multiple NGOs does help to
create better communication and points of contact, they also hinder ……..??