NGO Sustainability and Effectiveness

These flashcards summarize key concepts regarding NGO sustainability, effectiveness, human rights advocacy, and the political and ethical challenges faced by humanitarian organizations as discussed in the lecture.

What primarily shapes NGO sustainability according to the lecture notes?

Donor funding cycles, professionalization, and managerial requirements.

How does sustainability often conflict with social impact in NGOs?

Sustainability can prioritize organizational survival over meaningful social transformation.

What do Michael, Devine, and Swidler & Watkins argue about sustainability?

Sustainability is shaped by donor expectations and institutional pressures.

What is the implication of NGOs becoming financially sustainable, especially in Bangladesh?

They may become depoliticized and focus on service delivery over social transformation.

What does the phrase 'teach a man to fish' signify in the context of NGO sustainability?

It reflects donor ideology emphasizing self-reliance, which can weaken effective health interventions.

What are some main roles of human rights NGOs?

Promote norms, monitor violations, and pressure states.

How do NGOs exercise power, according to Keck and Sikkink?

Through transnational advocacy networks using information, symbolism, and moral pressure.

What does the term 'boomerang pattern' refer to in NGO advocacy?

It allows NGOs to bypass unresponsive states to influence change.

What factors can limit the effectiveness of naming and shaming tactics by NGOs?

Specific political conditions, where it can even backfire.

According to Hafner-Burton, when does advocacy work best?

When states are sensitive to their reputation.

What challenges do women's rights NGOs face?

Cultural norms and gender inequality that complicate advocacy.

What is meant by 'vernacularization' in strategies of NGOs?

Translating global human rights norms into local cultural terms to gain legitimacy.

How do environmental NGOs influence global governance?

Through advocacy and monitoring, utilizing networks and public pressure.

What do Bebbington and Büthe et al. emphasize regarding NGO roles?

NGOs adapt to state weakness and their actions can reflect political interests.

What ethical dilemmas do humanitarian NGOs encounter?

Conflicts between donor accountability and beneficiary needs.

What transformation in humanitarianism is noted by Barnett?

It has become increasingly institutionalized and politicized.

What do Rubenstein and Barnett suggest about NGO legitimacy?

It is challenged by political and moral trade-offs in humanitarian contexts.