scholarly journals Absence of Cultural Awareness Training in International Non-Governmental Organizations

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s99-s99
Author(s):  
Alexander Hart ◽  
Fadi Issa
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Awareness Training ◽  
Local Staff ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
International Ngos ◽  
Cultural Sensitivity Training ◽  
Different Cultures

Introduction:Cultural awareness is the understanding of differences in cultures, and openness to these differences. It is a vital step in the development of cultural sensitivity and becoming operationally effective when working within different cultures. The benefits of Cultural Awareness have become apparent in recent decades, including within governments, militaries, and corporations. Many organizations have developed Cultural Awareness training for their staff to improve cross-cultural cooperation. However, there has not been a large movement toward cultural sensitivity training among Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) who provide aid across a number of countries and cultures. Cultural Awareness can be a useful tool which enables an NGO to better serve the populations with which they engage.Aim:To evaluate the presence within International NGOs of Cultural Awareness Training to employees and volunteers.Methods:Ten of the largest international NGOs were identified. Their websites were evaluated for any mention of training in Cultural Awareness available to their employees and volunteers. All 10 were then contacted via their public email addresses to find out if they provide any form of Cultural Awareness training.Results:Of the ten NGOs identified, none have any publicly available Cultural Awareness training on their websites. One NGO deals with cultural awareness by only hiring local staff, who are already a part of the prevalent culture of the area. None of the others who responded have any cultural awareness training which they provide.Discussion:Cultural awareness is a vital tool when acting internationally. Large NGOs, which operate in a wide range of cultures, have an obligation to act in a culturally aware and accepting manner. Most large NGOs currently lack cultural awareness training for their employees and volunteers. It is time for these NGOs to develop, and begin to employ, cultural awareness training to better prepare their staff to serve international populations.

Absence of Cultural Awareness Training in International Non-Governmental Organizations

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (05) ◽  
pp. 486-488
Author(s):  
Alexander Hart ◽  
Mariana Toma ◽  
Fadi Issa ◽  
Gregory R. Ciottone
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Awareness Training ◽  
Local Staff ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
International Ngos ◽  
Cultural Sensitivity Training ◽  
Different Cultures

AbstractIntroduction:Cultural awareness can be defined as an understanding of the differences that exist between cultures. This understanding is a crucial first step towards the development of cultural sensitivity, a willingness to accept those differences as having equal merit, and becoming operationally effective when working within different cultures. The benefits of cultural awareness have become apparent in recent decades, including within governments, militaries, and corporations. Many organizations have developed cultural awareness training for their staffs to improve cross-cultural cooperation. However, there has not been a large movement toward cultural sensitivity training among non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who provide aid globally, across a number of countries and cultures. Cultural awareness can be a useful tool which enables an NGO to better serve the populations with which they engage.Problem:The goal of this study was to evaluate the presence of cultural awareness training for employees and volunteers working within international NGOs.Methods:Ten of the largest international NGOs were identified. Their websites were evaluated for any mention of training in cultural awareness available to their employees and volunteers. All ten were then contacted via their public email addresses to find out if they provide any form of cultural awareness training.Results:Of the ten NGOs identified, none had any publicly available cultural awareness training on their websites. One NGO dealt with cultural awareness by only hiring local staff, who were already a part of the prevalent culture of the area. None of the others who responded provided any cultural awareness training.Conclusion:Cultural awareness is a vital tool when working internationally. Large NGOs, which operate in a wide-range of cultures, have an obligation to act in a culturally aware and accepting manner. Most large NGOs currently lack a systematic, robust cultural awareness training for their employees and volunteers.

COOPERATION BETWEEN INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC NON- GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE TRAINING OF MANAGERS AND MEMBERS OF LOCAL COUNCILS

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liubomyr Hrytsak ◽  
◽  
Mykola Durman ◽  
Olena Durman ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Budget Process ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
International Ngos ◽  
Local Government Officials

The article notes that today a key place in civil society belongs to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as they serve as a link between citizens (business) and government. During their activities in Ukraine, international NGOs have offered and implemented a wide range of services, as well as developed and implemented various projects aimed at developing various sectors of the economy and activating civil society. One of the points of the NGO's efforts is the education of local government officials and deputies of local councils, which is especially relevant in the framework of the implementation of decentralization reform, which has been taking place in Ukraine since 2014. At the same time, deputies must have knowledge and skills in very broad areas of government, and their political literacy directly affects the success of democratic change in Ukraine, especially changes at the local level, and the dynamic socio-economic development of local communities. In this case, non-governmental organizations and non-governmental foundations come to the fore, which in close cooperation can give deputies of local councils the opportunity to learn throughout their lives and update their knowledge in the areas of governance that they need today. One such organization is the All- Ukrainian NGO Institute of Political Education (IPE), which has been conducting non-formal education activities for local government officials and local council members for more than 10 years with the support of international NGOs. Thus, in the period 2011-2018, more than 1,000 deputies of local councils and public activists from different regions of Ukraine took part in the training within the project "Strengthening Local Democracy" (supported by NED). In 2020, IPO began cooperating with another international non-governmental organization - the DOBRE Program. In 2020-2021, more than 500 people (392 deputies and 141 local government officials) took part in the training with the support of this Program. Participants in training projects can now not only better manage their own status, rights and responsibilities as people's deputies, but also know the specifics of the budget process, land and communal spheres. In addition, the training included soft-skills units aimed at training deputies to better communicate their views, defend their position, communicate effectively with opponents, voters, and more. The study concludes that international NGOs form an educational platform for local government representatives, deputies of local councils, and Ukrainian NGOs on the basis of this platform create an educational environment aimed at activating Ukrainian society, strengthening the influence of civil society on relations with the authorities, promoting Ukraine's European integration and improving the lives of Ukrainian citizens.

Non-Governmental Organizations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Bloodgood
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
International Relations ◽  
Interest Groups ◽  
Foreign Aid ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
International Political Economy ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
International Ngos

Research on non-governmental organizations (NGOs, often international NGOs, or INGOs) has advanced over the last several decades from demonstrating that NGOs matter in shaping economic development and foreign aid to examining the potential for NGOs to advocate for new rights, set standards for environmental protections, and establish alternative economic arrangements in international relations. The study of NGOs as organizations has opened their potential as interest groups as well as economic actors in their own rights. Moving forward, new data and new theory is needed to fully develop International Political Economy (IPE) understandings of NGO motives, intentions, strategies, and power in global governance.

scholarly journals Civil Non-State Actors in Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding in West Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 313-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abu Bakarr Bah
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Community Organizations ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
State Actors ◽  
Post War

This paper advances the notion of civil non-state actors in peacekeeping and peacebuilding. Using Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Côte d’Ivoire as cases studies, the paper identifies three kinds of civil non-state actors in war-torn countries: international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based NGOs, and ad hoc community organizations. In addition, it argues that civil non-state actors play a critical problem-solving role in peacekeeping and peacebuilding and complement the role of state actors. The paper examines the role of civil non-state actors through their dialectical affinity with state actors in the peacekeeping and peacebuilding processes. It further expands the notion of non-state actors in peacekeeping and peacebuilding to encompass community-based NGOs and ad hoc community organizations. Moreover, it points to the positive role of civil non-state actors and the wide range of activities they perform, especially in peace mediation and post-war reconstruction.

Cultural Awareness Training for Human Service Pros

1982 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-6
Author(s):  
James Green
Keyword(s):  
Social Service ◽  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Intervention Programs ◽  
Awareness Training ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Cultural Variations ◽  
Service Training

Only within the last few years have social service professionals shown any considerable interest in cultural differences among their clients. There have always been a few individuals, usually from minority groups, who have been concerned with the significance of cultural variations for social work and its intervention programs. But more recently, words and phrases such as "culture," "cross cultural," "extended family," and "personal network" have caught on with the profession as a whole. The language of "cultural awareness" and "cultural sensitivity" has begun to permeate social service training, both in classrooms and on the job.

The Role of International ngos in the Development of Democracy in Rural China

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-187
Author(s):  
Dongshui Yin ◽  
Xiaoguang Guo
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Village Elections ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
International Ngos ◽  
Fast Movement ◽  
The Government

The involvement of international non-governmental organizations (ingos) in the efforts to develop democracy is a global phenomenon in the context of globalization. ingos have played a part in the development of democracy in rural China. Given domestic reformers’ technical need for village elections, the important role of village elections, and the vision of ingos for boosting democracy, ingos have sought cooperation with the government and reached where village elections are held with their resources to provide financial, technical, intellectual and other support for pushing forward elections and the reform. To some extent, these ingos have contributed to the development of democracy in rural China. However, the large-scale fast movement of people in China has resulted in a large number of “vacant” villages. Against such a backdrop, ingos have shown less interest in village elections and shifted some of their attention to other areas. In the process of developing democracy, China should adopt an open and rational attitude towards the ingos, take advantage of their strengths, and avoid considering them either angels or demons.

Environmentalists split over Kyoto and Amazonian deforestation

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 295-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip M. Fearnside
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Clean Development Mechanism ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Avoided Deforestation ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
International Ngos ◽  
Non Destructive

Controversies over tropical forest and KyotoSlowing deforestation in Amazonia would be a significant contribution to combating global warming and, depending on decisions under the Kyoto Protocol, could provide non-destructive support for rural population in the region (Fearnside 2000a). Crediting avoided deforestation is divisive, both within and among environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and governments. Positions of NGOs on inclusion of avoided deforestation in the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) are tightly linked to geography: European NGOs oppose inclusion of forests, USA NGOs (other than USA branches or affiliates of international groups) favour inclusion of forests, and Brazilian NGOs (also excepting most branches or affiliates of international NGOs) also favour forests. The probability of chance explaining these views being clustered in Europe, North America and Brazil in this way is miniscule. In other words, these positions are based on something other than the universal concerns about climate change and future generations that predominate in public statements on all sides.

scholarly journals Drawing upon a Comparative Case Study of Iraq and Afghanistan Critically Assess the Success and Failures in the Negotiation Process to Get Personnel and/or Humanitarian Aid to Populations in Need

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 165
Author(s):  
Francesco Bruno
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Structure ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
War On Terror ◽  
Humanitarian Aid ◽  
Negotiation Process ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
International Ngos

This paper critically assesses and compares the successes and failures of Non-Governmental Organizations(NGOs) in negotiating access to humanitarian spaces in two case studies, namely Afghanistan and Iraq. The case studies have been selected due to the nature of the two wars, namely the link to the “War on Terror” declared by President George W. Bush in 2001. As a consequence, the selected cases highlight highly politicized and insecure environments for the NGOs to work in. In terms of successes, the NGOs became more flexible in their organizational structure while solving cases on a day-to-day basis negotiating access with local as well as international actors. However, the nature of the conflicts completely shuttered any opportunity to uphold the principles of impartiality, neutrality and independence. In terms of failures, the case studies point out one of the main and most recurrent dilemmas for the NGOs, namely the lack of legitimacy and independency. As a consequence, many international NGOs engaged in remote projects using local personnel in insecure and dangerous areas lacking tools for monitoring the progresses and successes.

scholarly journals Nutritional Influences on the Health of Women and Children in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6205
Author(s):  
Adelaide Lusambili ◽  
Violet Naanyu ◽  
Gibson Manda ◽  
Lindsay Mossman ◽  
Stefania Wisofschi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Pregnant Adolescent ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Micronutrient Powder ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Nutritional Influences ◽  
The Government ◽  
Gender Knowledge

In 2017, the Government of Mozambique declared localized acute malnutrition crises in a range of districts across Mozambique including Cabo Delgado. This is in spite of intensive efforts by different non-governmental organizations (NGO) and the Government of Mozambique to expand access to information on good nutritional practices as well as promote nutrition-specific interventions, such as cooking demonstrations, home gardens and the distribution of micronutrient powder to children. This paper examines and discusses key nutritional influences on the health of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in Cabo Delgado province, Mozambique. We conducted 21 key informant interviews (KIIs) with a wide range of stakeholders and 16 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with women. In addition, we conducted four focus group discussions with each of the following groups: (1) pregnant adolescent girls, (2) pregnant women >20 yrs, (3) women >20 yrs with babies <6 mths who were not practicing exclusive breastfeeding, (4) women >20 yrs of children <2 yrs and (5) with fathers of children <2 yrs. Data were analyzed thematically using NVIVO software. There is no single widely held influence on pregnant and breast-feeding women’s nutritional decision-making, choices and food consumption. Rather, variables such as social-cultural, environmental, economic, gender, knowledge and information intersect in their roles in nutritional food choices.

Non-governmental organizations: strategic management for a competitive world

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Schwenger ◽  
Thomas Straub ◽  
Stefano Borzillo
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Management ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Civil Liberty ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governmental Organization ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Executive Managers

Purpose – This paper aims to empirically investigate competition within the non-governmental organization (NGO) sector, and presents some strategic approaches to managing it. Porter’s five forces (1980) model was used as a theoretical framework to understand and quantify competition in the NGO sector, as well as to explore the differences between NGOs’ budget sizes. Traditional strategic management often fails to meet NGOs’ needs. While economization is prevalent within the NGO sector, little is known about how NGOs address competition. Design/methodology/approach – An online global survey was conducted between November 2010 and May 2011. Data were collected from 1,211 NGOs that either function as consultants or work in association with the United Nations (UN). The key informants were leaders and executive managers of NGOs. The respondents’ fields of work varied from international advocacy and development (38 per cent), education and research (14 per cent), community and neighborhood (8 per cent), health (8 per cent), environment (8 per cent) and social services (7 per cent) to civil liberty (6 per cent), labor (6 per cent), culture (3 per cent), philanthropy (2 per cent) and religion (1 per cent). Findings – The findings suggest that the NGO sector is becoming increasingly competitive. However, the data suggest that the lower and upper budget classes have different priorities and perceptions. Small NGOs (with budgets <USD250,000 and especially <USD10,000) compete more aggressively for funding, as they have less bargaining power over donors and large foundations, and face stronger competition from social entrepreneurship. This results in income reductions. Large NGOs (with budgets >USD250,000 USD and especially >USD1 million) experience increased pressure for accountability. Research limitations/implications – This research is aimed at a wide range of NGOs. The findings are based on an empirical and open survey that was held among NGOs in association with the UN. Future research should survey NGOs that are not associated with the UN to generalize the results. This may lead to contradictory or more varied results. Practical implications – The findings can help NGOs adapt their strategy to cope more effectively with increasing competition in the sector. Large NGOs seem to prioritize fundraising measures and their positioning (uniqueness) through specialized knowledge. Small NGOs, on the other hand, seem to consider sharing resources, co-operation with other NGOs and co-operation with the private sector slightly more important. To enhance their competitive position, small NGOs are advised to improve their potential by concentrating on developing specific skills that are hard to imitate and to improve their fundraising measures. Finally, large NGOs could benefit from pooling their resources and collaborating with other NGOs and private organizations. Originality/value – NGOs have to pursue their missions under increasing competitive pressure. This paper comprehensively assesses competition, analyzes the various facets thereof and tests these aspects’ relevance to NGOs. It furthermore proposes strategies that are more appropriate for NGOs of different sizes to cope with this competition.

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