Building a New Role for U.S. NGOs as Active Global Citizens

Transcription

1 White Paper August 2015 Building a New Role for U.S. NGOs as Active Global Citizens By Samuel A. Worthington President & CEO InterAction For more information, please contact: Burt Edwards Director, Web & Media Strategy InterAction bedwards@interaction.org On June 22, 2015, InterAction President and CEO Samuel A. Worthington gave an address at Forum 2015 outlining a series of six steps that the NGO community can take to significantly advance the sector s collective relevance and effectiveness in the decade ahead. To expand the conversation beyond those in attendance at the Washington conference, InterAction released an edited and amended version of Worthington's remarks as a special White Paper on August 20. To hear the original address, as given, please visit America's Global Citizens: Shaping a Relevant Future for U.S. NGOs The world s poorest people are better off today than at any time in history. Over the past 15 years, we have seen massive improvements in human wellbeing. U.S. NGOs have made important contributions to these achievements. And in fragile states we deliver indispensable humanitarian aid. Whether it is the stemming of hunger, reducing preventable diseases, dramatically curbing infant mortality, or strengthening civic actors, you have all contributed to the greatest improvement of human wellbeing in history. Yet the role of NGOs is routinely questioned, attacked by some governments, and largely seen as less relevant. It is a reality we cannot ignore. Earlier this year, as a resident policy fellow at the Rockefeller Foundation Center in Bellagio, I had an amazing opportunity to reflect on our sector. During my research, writing, and reflecting on over 20 years working as a CEO in the nonprofit community, I realized that if NGOs are to continue to be relevant and remain a transformative force, our community must continue to reinvent itself. New Century, Old Challenges We know that effective humanitarian and development investments can deliver results. We know that international collaboration can help stabilize insecure environments. But no one has figured out how to create large numbers of jobs in fragile environments. No one has figured out how to consistently improve the rights and dignity of marginalized groups. Without any prospect of a job or justice, basic poverty indicators head in the wrong direction. And making a lasting difference in people s lives remains as elusive as ever th Street, NW Suite 210 Washington, DC

2 We all know that effective development is ultimately local, it is driven by market economies and government institutions, and shaped by civil society. Success is generating local capacity. To some, our goal as international nonprofits is to work ourselves out of a job. Unfortunately, this is a limiting idea. Now, do not get me wrong, the Global South must manage its own development. Some forms of aid will end. But we must reject the idea of a future without civil society working across borders. We live in an increasingly globalized world with competing interests. Corporations and governments work globally, and multilateral institutions continue to shape global policies. Isolated civil society organizations and national social movements on their own are no match for these global forces. International nonprofits have a role to play; U.S. NGOs and multinational NGOs from the global South combined. The line between Northern and Southern civil society continues to blur. As the line blurs, we must not ask if there is a long-term role for U.S. NGOs, but rather, how we should evolve to have the greatest possible positive impact. In order to thrive, U.S. NGOs will need to reinvent themselves to maintain their relevance and remain a transformative force over the coming decades. The key to this evolution will be the ability of U.S. NGOs to realign their work within six broad, strategic areas. First, to advance the 2015 sustainability goals, we need to look beyond our established thematic silos. Let's step back, and look at the broader ecosystem. Many themes we continue to keep separate are in reality intertwined. Second, to hold governments and internationally focused institutions to account, with a particular focus on our government, U.S. NGOs will need to embrace more alignment and collective action. Third, to provide the American people with a greater understanding of the circumstances and potential of the world s poor and vulnerable people, we need to reach them with a new common narrative. Fourth, we must protect civil society s space to operate at local, national, and global levels and support the ability of civil society organizations to operate without fear of reprisal. Fifth, we must contribute to the building of global and local civil society infrastructure networks that can both hold their own and influence how our world evolves. This includes our own infrastructure and how it fits into global civil society systems. And lastly Sixth, we must look for constructive ways to mitigate the inherently inequitable distribution of power and capital. This includes working closely with socially and environmentally responsible businesses. These last three areas are inherently more political in nature and they will likely be challenged by nation states. They do not imply stopping our traditional programs; rather a partial reimagining of the U.S. NGO infrastructure. These six areas frame a clear political purpose and direction for our community. None of them is easy. One: Evolving our Programs We all know that the norms of development cooperation and humanitarian response are rapidly changing. These shifts are not at the margins; rather we are seeing changes in the entire ecosystem of foreign assistance. Local partners increasingly take leadership roles. We must leverage and partner with governments and the private sector. Still, aid remains critical to many. And U.S. NGOs remain on the front lines. In the Ebola crisis, the earthquake in Nepal, and the ongoing conflict in Syria, U.S. nonprofits save lives, assist with rebuilding communities, and offer hope. Our programs have a particularly important role in fragile states. As U.S. NGOs we have a role that goes beyond crises. Democracy, human rights, environmental and poverty-focused nonprofits are at the forefront of influencing sustainable policies and supporting local civil society. Yet, if we are to remain relevant we must look beyond our silos; only then will we begin to address the societal challenges of climate change, inequity, and fragile states. We remain far too divided by thematic sectors humanitarian, development, democracy and governance, human rights, and environmental. This must change. Each group needs to view its role within the larger ecosystem. America's Global Citizens: Shaping a Relevant Future for U.S. NGOs Page 2

3 To have a lasting impact, our work must be built on human rights principles and UN frameworks. Building the capacity of local institutions and supporting the influence of local civil society is now a central dimension of any successful program. In all areas, U.S. NGOs must strengthen their ability to deliver programs while at the same time working with and supporting their international counterparts. Our end game is a whole of society ownership of development; empowered local communities that have the ability to shape the direction of development efforts through their own civic institutions. Private U.S. NGO resources must fund local civil society. Our areas of emphasis are incredibly diverse. Some of us promote and strengthen social services and democratic societies. Many save lives. A focus on marginalized people drives interventions, particularly populations that governments and markets cannot or are unwilling to reach. Successful programs build the capacity of local institutions, they tap innovation and digital technologies, but ultimately they improve wellbeing, advance rights, and provide people with a sense of human dignity. Building on these results to have more impact makes sense. But they are not enough, our partners deserve more. Only through different forms of collective action, efforts that have us working across thematic sectors, can we truly get the results we seek. Only by working across humanitarian, development, peacebuilding, climate adaptation, and resilience issues can we have a lasting impact in fragile states. Two: Holding Governments to Account A relevant global role for U.S. NGOs will not emerge if individual organizations only address narrow parochial interests. Thankfully, our collective advocacy is not focused on funding U.S. NGOs. In our efforts to hold governments to account, and to influence policies, our advocacy must be both rooted in principles, and tailored to the reality of those we seek to influence. Let us push for what is right and offer pragmatic policy ideas that will actually be implemented. This requires a more sophisticated approach and a commitment to take on various forms of collective action. Shouting principles from the sidelines is an inherently limited strategy. We need to meet policy makers halfway. Our traditional advocacy supports the U.S. foreign assistance budget, defends particular povertyfocused accounts, and engages to influence policies that shape U.S. aid programs. This advocacy takes place at multiple levels. Some of our efforts attempt to influence the U.S. Congress or the overarching development policy of a particular administration. Other advocacy efforts get into the weeds on the delivery of aid programs. In recent years, InterAction members influenced USAID policies on evaluation, gender, working in fragile states, youth, partnering with civil society, and disabilities. This operational advocacy goes back decades and reflects the symbiotic relationship that often exists between the U.S. NGO community and its principle government donor. As networks of NGOs, we are increasingly part of aligned diplomatic efforts. We promote common policies across borders. The idea that NGOs are diplomatic actors in their own right was introduced over a decade ago. U.S. NGO diplomacy is here to stay and it takes our traditional national-level advocacy efforts to the global level. Nations increasingly recognize the value of NGOs as diplomatic actors who are able to amplify civil society s voice. World leaders see the value of NGOs as an echo chamber. When large numbers of NGOs react negatively to a global agenda, it is less likely to gain traction. On the other hand, when the agenda receives a positive echo, it is more likely to get off the ground. As U.S. NGOs, we have the legitimacy to challenge, support, and shape the role our own government plays in a broad range of global debates. If done effectively, policy recommendations from the NGO sector can help shape how global institutions ranging from the World Bank to the World Economic Forum approach the global fight to end poverty. The keywords here are effective advocacy. We need to be wary of the cacophony of NGO perspectives that create noise and limit the clout of our sector. We must avoid simplistic ideological solutions. A stronger NGO voice can only come through various forms of collective action that offers real solutions to complex problems. America's Global Citizens: Shaping a Relevant Future for U.S. NGOs Page 3

4 Three: Creating an Informed and Engaged Public As we collaborate within the sector to have a greater impact, can we adopt a common narrative that helps Americans join our movement? U.S. NGOs can help inform the American people s understanding of our world. We often contribute to the American people s understanding of global challenges helping influence how they engage and providing them with opportunities to show compassion and solidarity beyond our border. As trusted brands we provide ways to send private financial contributions to programs around the world. Through increased awareness and education, we build greater support for global development cooperation. Working with a trusted U.S. non-profit, often associated with a place of worship, a congregation or individual supporter gains a better understanding of ongoing humanitarian crises. We provide a way for Americans to make a difference in marginalized communities. Many of you actively educate your supporters and the public about poverty and the prospects of a better world. The footprint of faith-based NGOs in educating the public is significant. InterAction members represent and reach over 60,000 congregations. By pooling supporters interested in advocacy, NGOs contributed over 1 million names to help launch the ONE Campaign. It is unlikely that President George W. Bush would have launched his massive initiative to combat HIV-AIDS without the support of NGOs who influenced the evangelical community. Making the case for a robust and effective foreign aid goes back decades. U.S. NGO advocacy on this front has proven to be invaluable. But while our public education work has made significant headway, we still have a long way to go. We live in a country that has a limited understanding of development cooperation. Few Americans understand the major improvements we have witnessed in human wellbeing. Most also grossly overestimate how much our government actually spends on foreign assistance. Development education used to be funded by USAID. At present, beyond the often-superficial nature of most media coverage, the task of educating the American people about the role of development cooperation rests with foundations, universities, and NGOs. Broad support for development cooperation is probably a pipe dream. But concerted efforts to adopt a common narrative could increase the pool of Americans who have a better understanding of global development, human rights, and humanitarian issues. To do so, we must shape a common narrative under diverse brands that encourages Americans to join our movement. This narrative is about hope, people changing their own lives, meeting them halfway, and getting real results. Using this common narrative we must engage with the political, religious, and social diversity of America. We can help build a movement that supports poverty-elimination focused U.S. global engagement. If managed correctly, the American public s empathy for people in humanitarian crises can grow into support for an inclusive and sustainable development agenda. Four: Civil Society Space Following the Arab Spring, governments threatened by their own civil society are constricting and at times even crushing local civic organizations. Many governments are increasingly restricting or attacking U.S. and other international NGOs that support their civil society. Even more troubling is the targeting of humanitarian workers by violent extremist groups. Together these two forces are causing a decline in the political space local civil society organizations have to implement programs or voice their concerns. Far too many laws are passed that restrict the ability of local groups to receive funding from so called foreign agents, that require onerous registration procedures, or that narrowly delineate the topics the NGOs are allowed to address. U.S. NGOs must take an advocacy role in the international community, demanding that civil society organizations be allowed to operate without fear of reprisal. A healthy society needs good public institutions and governance. It also needs a robust sector of civic organizations providing services and building efforts that empower citizens to promote their interests. U.S. NGO solidarity with local civil society is critical. This will take the form of financial, political, technical, and moral support. America's Global Citizens: Shaping a Relevant Future for U.S. NGOs Page 4

5 We must contribute to non-profit networks that support local institutions and create policy consensus among civil society actors. We are also witnessing a squeeze in the ability of humanitarian NGOs to operate in war zones or other conflict areas. Humanitarian principles have historically, though imperfectly, created an operating space for interventions that protect and save the lives of civilians. The ideas of neutrality, impartiality, and independence are central tenants that protect humanitarian actors. They must not take sides in hostilities or engage in controversies of a political, racial, religious, or ideological nature. The action must be carried out on the basis of need alone. The core tenants of an effective humanitarian response are being threatened by both violent extremism and U.S. counterterrorism laws. Without globally engaged civic actors, many governments and large corporations will avoid, or actively oppose, the difficult policy choices needed to address human wellbeing, dignity, and rights. We will continue to educate the U.S. government on these issues and back its support for civil societies around the world as a key policy concern. U.S. NGOs that specialize in building strong civil societies and public institutions will offer direct expertise. Other NGOs also need to offer their financial and moral support. This is not solely the job of democracy, human rights, and governance NGOs. Creating a space for civil society is not just relevant overseas. Inappropriate U.S. anti-terror rules can negatively impact U.S. NGOs. The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld our case against a law limiting NGO freedom of speech and our rights of civil society to create our own policies. To effectively advance this goal we must challenge our own government, take steps to limit policies that harm civil society, and recognize the importance of supporting citizens who are fighting for their democracy and rights. We cannot as a sector ignore the impact of a closing civic space. Five: Creating a Global Civil Society Infrastructure Business is global. It is the backbone of what we call globalization. Multilateral level policy making is also increasingly shaped across borders. Individuals and cities are creating meaningful links that transcend national boundaries. What about civil society? Should the role of global civic actors, including U.S. NGOs, and the global infrastructure they build, be seen as an end in itself? Many development and policy leaders argue that our success is measured by our ability to hand over all work to effective local groups and go home. This makes sense, but only if U.S. NGOs are solely seen as project implementers for the U.S. government. Accomplish a task, build local capacity to handle the challenge going forward, and go home. Development is, after all, local and should run by local organizations. This logic does not make sense if U.S. NGOs have a broader systemic role to play. Our goal should be to create a global NGO infrastructure that contributes to global civic systems. These global systems should link international decision-making to local civil society, create hubs that can work across sectors, and be built upon less paternalistic approaches to social change. Ultimately, we must keep local civil society and NGOs actively engaged in a system that stretches across borders and shapes our globalized world. Global civil society infrastructures are here to stay and they need to be significantly strengthened. We must create resilient global civil society networks, civic systems that can engage nation states and the private sector. We cannot ignore the inequities and flaws of a globalized economy. We cannot ignore governments shaping policies across borders that harm people or our planet. By contributing to a global civil society infrastructure, U.S. NGOs can hold nation states and the private sector to account. At the same time, we cannot ignore the inequities between northern NGOs and civil society in the Global South. A flatter global civic infrastructure that can link the global with the local, and vice versa, is needed. We need to build global networks that can support and build local service delivery systems. They are often rooted in one part of the world, the Global North. This must change. The globalization of the NGO movement has a ways to go. In 2008, 84 national NGO platforms met in Paris to build a global alliance able to challenge governments across the world. The NGO umbrella groups decided to create a globally elected America's Global Citizens: Shaping a Relevant Future for U.S. NGOs Page 5

6 leadership council and secretariat, the International Forum of NGO Platforms, which brings together 55 national NGO platforms from Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Together they account for more than 21,000 non-profit organizations. In the Global South, entities like CIVICUS create a system for civil society from around the world to engage across borders in NGO diplomacy. A key missing link is the routine engagement of U.S. NGOs in these bodies and the active participation of U.S. NGOs in creating global civil society systems that cut across multiple organizations. U.S. NGOs tend to be quite pragmatic and less politicized. But too often, we serve as implementing partners of governments and in turn we tap local groups to implement for us. It is important that U.S. NGOs provide their skills to create a global civic system, not just in terms of infrastructure but also to influence global policy dialogues. We must act as part of a global civil society movement. Ultimately any civil society system that reaches across borders must be universal. It should be built to address social challenges in all nations, south to south, south to north. The Bangladesh NGO BRAC, or the Kenyan NGO Adeso, should set their sights on poverty in the United States. Our global civic infrastructure needs to be strengthened to address social challenges in all nations. An effective global network of non-profits, including ones based in emerging countries, can play a critical role in helping all societies redress their more glaring failures. This is a far cry from today s north to south transfer of wealth and knowhow. An effective global network of operational non-profits, including ones based in emerging countries, can play a critical role in shaping societies. Only then will the NGO part of a global civic system be truly universal. Six: Building more Equitable Societies Governments and the private sector are essential to the overall wellbeing of people. Essential, yes, but they are not sufficient. An increase in national wealth, even when accompanied by government interventions, does not necessarily translate into an increase in wellbeing for people who are marginalized or live in poverty. The wealth of individuals who have capital will continue to outpace the wealth of individuals who live off their wages. This reality poses a real challenge to U.S. NGOs. Even as we contribute to the reduction of absolute levels of poverty, the wealthy in developing societies will get progressively richer. This is not in and of itself a bad thing. Wealth implies an economic engine in a poor society. Yet, massive inequity or the concentration of wealth within small elites harms both human wellbeing and the democratic voice of less wealthy, underrepresented people. Africa need not follow the Latin American model of growth that, for a generation, concentrated investments in the few. Through the redistribution of private donations from an affluent north to a poorer south, U.S. NGOs contribute to the reduction of global poverty. But this does not address the core problem. Should U.S. NGOs directly address the inherent inequity of our current global capitalism in many countries? I would argue that the answer is, yes, we must play a positive role. But what is our role? Our approach should not be routed in an ideological framework; railing against the global economic system from the left yields few tangible results. Our challenge is to find ways to mitigate or lessen the inherently inequitable trends. What concrete actions can U.S. NGOs take to encourage more inclusive global capitalism? Part of the U.S. NGO response will be through actions that support more inclusive markets. By engaging with the private sector, U.S. NGOs can help turn concepts of shared equity and more socially responsible business practices into established norms. U.S. NGOs are working with major companies to make value chains more sustainable, from both an environmental and human rights perspective. Building on strong partnership with private sector corporations interested in advancing a more sustainable version of global capitalism, U.S. NGOs can help shape value chains that increase wealth within communities. We need to integrate efforts that advance shared value wherever businesses interface with the development of poor and marginalized populations. As we tap markets as a tool to create jobs and decrease poverty, we must also take steps to help shape businesses so that they are contributing to more equitable societies. We have a ways to go. The concept of shared value does not have widespread traction in America's Global Citizens: Shaping a Relevant Future for U.S. NGOs Page 6

7 the developing world, or for that matter, in many globalized corporations. Realistically this goal will only be advanced over decades. Progress will be incremental. Action will take many forms, from engaging in policy debates and shaping recommendations, critiquing bad corporate practices or tax policies, to working with the leading edge of businesses interested in building more inclusive societies with large middle classes. As NGOs we must promote a more inclusive and just economy. Inequality is increasing, even as we contribute to the reduction of poverty. We must engage with governments and the private sector to advance responsible, more equitable markets that can create good jobs, and decrease poverty. New Directions: Broadening our Future Role I've been a CEO in the NGO sector now for over 20 years. And while my sabbatical earlier this year provided me with an amazing and unique opportunity to reflect on the challenges our sector faces in the decades ahead, it also renewed my commitment to shape our sector s future. I am convinced that InterAction has a clear role to play. But if our sector is to thrive its leaders must be willing to take risks, explore new opportunities, and step up to a future where the role of U.S. NGOs has evolved. U.S. NGOs have a broader role to play in the ongoing global quest to eliminate extreme poverty and build more sustainable and resilient communities around the globe. We have a role in ensuring a better future for people living in fragile states. Creative partnerships with the private and public sector will be crucial in this effort. The challenges ahead also will be many. Effective policies and strong economic growth lifts millions out of abject poverty, but slums in Calcutta and the favelas in Rio still grow. Millions still live outside the formal economy or remain marginalized by history, entrenched social classes, and corruption. We cannot ignore the inequalities and flaws of a globalized economy. We also cannot ignore governments shaping policies across borders. By working together we can advance the 2030 sustainable development agenda. We can build a global civil society network that holds nation states and the private sector to account. This will only happen if we think and act as America s global citizens. And together working hand-in-hand with allies in public and private sectors we can create effective global policies that will ensure inclusive economic growth, effective and timely responses to humanitarian crises, and enable the growth of civic voices across the globe. Samuel A. Worthington is president and CEO of InterAction. Worthington's numerous leadership roles include serving as CEO of Plan International USA, working as a founding board member the ONE Campaign, and chairing the global NGO Impact Initiative on behalf of the UN Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery (President Bill Clinton). InterAction is the largest U.S. alliance of nongovernmental international organizations, with more than 180 members. Our members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life. Visit America's Global Citizens: Shaping a Relevant Future for U.S. NGOs Page 7