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- Convenor:
-
Jennifer Hsu
(University of New South Wales)
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- Location:
- H33 (Richmond building)
- Start time:
- 7 September, 2017 at
Time zone: Europe/London
- Session slots:
- 1
Short Abstract:
This panel explores how different types of "NGOs" contribute to development. The papers engage with different conceptions of "NGOs," whether it is government-organised NGOs, party-organised NGOs, social enterprises, non-profits or other organisational types.
Long Abstract:
This panel explores how different types of "non-governmental organisations" (NGOs) contribute to development. Given the diverse array of NGOs working in development, the panel seeks papers that engage with different conceptions of "NGOs," whether it is government-organised NGOs (GONGOs), party-organised NGOs (PONGOs), social enterprises, non-profits or other types of organisations. The purpose of the panel is multifaceted. First, it seeks to draw out the landscape of the types of organisations that undertake development work. Second, the panel will consider how development is understood by these different organisational types, and how development is practiced and delivered. Third, the panel will evaluate how these different organisations interact with one another in the development arena and the impact of their interactions on their host jurisdictions. Fourth, the panel will ask the question, to what extent is the notion of sustainability incorporated into the practice of development by the different organisational types? In this context the panel, invites research papers that are theoretically or empirically oriented with consideration of one or all four of the above-mentioned themes.
Accepted papers:
Session 1Timothy Hildebrandt (LSE) Jennifer Hsu (University of New South Wales) Reza Hasmath (University of Alberta)
Paper short abstract:
In this paper we suggest that contemporary NGOs can be better understood within transitory, temporal, and spatial terms. Setting aside the hand wringing over 'mission creep' we suggest that organisation evolution has become more normalised and thus needs to be better understood.
Paper long abstract:
The term non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is wrought with analytical confusion, encompassing a litany of organizational types, including non-profits, social enterprises, and government-organized NGOs (GONGOs) amongst others. We suggest that much of this puzzlement can be reduced by viewing NGOs within transitory, temporal and spatial terms. Consistent across a multitude of civil society environments, and political and economic regime types, we empirically observe as NGOs evolve so too will their organizational focus, project targets and constituents. We map out the process that NGOs take in this evolution, pivoting from "non-profit" to "social enterprise", and from "government-organized NGO" (GONGO) to a more independent-oriented NGO. Finally, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our evolutionary approach to conceptualizing contemporary NGOs.
Jennifer Hsu (University of New South Wales) Reza Hasmath (University of Alberta)
Paper short abstract:
How are relatively new non-state actors, such as Chinese NGOs, who are increasingly "going abroad" and conducting development work, interacting and contributing to and reshaping our understanding of global civil society?
Paper long abstract:
The notion of global civil society is undergoing serious questions and pushback. In an international environment of increased securitization, and a rise of conservative voices across Europe, U.S.A. and other developed nations to tighten national borders and reduce immigration/asylum applications, the underlying ideals of a global civil society (GCS) that is concerned with social justice, and checking institutional authority is challenged. Coiled in this new paradigm, how are NGOs, one of the key stakeholders advancing global civil society, currently operating in an environment where notions of interconnectedness and social justice are questioned? Moreover, how are relatively new non-state actors, such as Chinese NGOs, who are increasingly "going abroad", interacting and contributing to this new paradigm, and in the process reshaping our understanding of GCS?
In the first section of the paper, we consider the literature on GCS and the role of NGOs in advancing international networks and alliances. We are notably interested in using Keane's (2003) definition of GCS as a spring board to construct a conceptual form. We proceed in the second section to provide a background on Chinese NGOs and their current internationalization efforts. To precisely determine how Chinese NGOs take part in GCS, our third section offers a typology of the different types of Chinese NGOs that have extended their operations abroad. Our final section discusses the conceptual impact of Chinese NGOs on prevailing GCS theory, and the potential implications of their activities in the near future.