Over the years and collectively, NGOs have made an important contribution to humanity. They have pushed for the creation of new units within the UN institutions (such as the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights). They were also instrumental in the development and establishment of the International Criminal Court, and brought issues to the attention of the UN, which governments had failed to do. In addition, they are the ones that steadily deliver humanitarian assistance, and they promote the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Unfortunately, Governments have created legal and administrative barriers that made it more difficult for NGOs to receive funds (foreign and domestic), to hold public gatherings, to register as organizations and to express their views. Tactics have been put in place to discredit civil society groups and weaken them vis-à-vis the general public.
Covid-19 has caused major disruptions the world over. The ongoing pandemic is already affecting many aspects of our daily life and will undoubtedly force rearrangements on our globalized society. We all know that this pandemic is unprecedented in scale and need. Almost every household, community, organization, sector and nation is reeling from its impacts on health, the economy and society.
Responding to this crisis requires global cooperation among governments, international organizations and the business community. To help us address these challenges, we need new ideas and innovative solutions. Never have we been so in need of cross-sector collaboration, harnessing our respective areas of expertise and capacities across the private sector, governments and civil society.
This challenging time presents a great opportunity to learn and grow together as non-profit professionals. All across the world, people are exchanging ideas, learning to come together and try new things, sharing experiences and lessons.
In these unprecedented times when COVID-19 continues to spread and to impact almost every individual and organization across the world directly or indirectly, non-profit organizations or non-government organizations (NGOs) are also deeply affected now and in the times to come. It is important to balance the scale between panic and carelessness. Preparedness is key.
Government also needs to chalk out a plan as to how it can pull together all the resources not just from within the state machinery but also from outside in the event of a crisis. Given the large number of NGOs operating in the country, their mobilisation can be hugely helpful to control the spread of the disease.
NGOs have access to the grassroots where they have been carrying out various activities and they can integrate measures to tackle the virus. Messages conveyed through the media are usually one-way communication, but NGOs can use their resources to connect with communities and messages through them make two-way communication, thereby avoiding any confusion. Apart from information dissemination and awareness, NGOs can also fund some basic things soap, sanitisers and water which are most required at this time.
Governmental institutions and the UN should, after the pandemic, pay closer attention to four elements that are important for civil society development: The regulatory environment, and the changes in legislations that affect the work of civil society organizations; The right to participation, and difficulties in accessing decision-makers and in providing inputs into laws and policy-making processes; Continuous harassment of Human Rights defenders, including the negative discourse that is stigmatizing NGOs; And funding.
Unfortunately, Governments have created legal and administrative barriers that made it more difficult for NGOs to receive funds (foreign and domestic), to hold public gatherings, to register as organizations and to express their views. Tactics have been put in place to discredit civil society groups and weaken them vis-à-vis the general public.
Covid-19 has caused major disruptions the world over. The ongoing pandemic is already affecting many aspects of our daily life and will undoubtedly force rearrangements on our globalized society. We all know that this pandemic is unprecedented in scale and need. Almost every household, community, organization, sector and nation is reeling from its impacts on health, the economy and society.
Responding to this crisis requires global cooperation among governments, international organizations and the business community. To help us address these challenges, we need new ideas and innovative solutions. Never have we been so in need of cross-sector collaboration, harnessing our respective areas of expertise and capacities across the private sector, governments and civil society.
This challenging time presents a great opportunity to learn and grow together as non-profit professionals. All across the world, people are exchanging ideas, learning to come together and try new things, sharing experiences and lessons.
In these unprecedented times when COVID-19 continues to spread and to impact almost every individual and organization across the world directly or indirectly, non-profit organizations or non-government organizations (NGOs) are also deeply affected now and in the times to come. It is important to balance the scale between panic and carelessness. Preparedness is key.
Government also needs to chalk out a plan as to how it can pull together all the resources not just from within the state machinery but also from outside in the event of a crisis. Given the large number of NGOs operating in the country, their mobilisation can be hugely helpful to control the spread of the disease.
NGOs have access to the grassroots where they have been carrying out various activities and they can integrate measures to tackle the virus. Messages conveyed through the media are usually one-way communication, but NGOs can use their resources to connect with communities and messages through them make two-way communication, thereby avoiding any confusion. Apart from information dissemination and awareness, NGOs can also fund some basic things soap, sanitisers and water which are most required at this time.
Governmental institutions and the UN should, after the pandemic, pay closer attention to four elements that are important for civil society development: The regulatory environment, and the changes in legislations that affect the work of civil society organizations; The right to participation, and difficulties in accessing decision-makers and in providing inputs into laws and policy-making processes; Continuous harassment of Human Rights defenders, including the negative discourse that is stigmatizing NGOs; And funding.