TH - Transparency lacking in NGOs

[Guest guest]

Might be true for more countries than just Thailand..

 

 

 

 

 

Editorial:

 

Transparency lacking in NGOs

 

Wildlife Fund Thailand's abrupt end points to a trend of such groups failing

to uphold the standards they preach

 

Published on July 25, 2007

 

The decision made earlier this month by the executive board of Wildlife Fund

Thailand (WFT), one of the country's most illustrious conservation-advocacy

organisations, to cease operations and terminate its 40 employees on the

grounds that its financial reserves had dried up, came as a big surprise to

the public, as well as its supporters and staff. Everyone was left wondering

how WFT, a private, non-profit wildlife-conservation group that was so

widely recognised domestically and internationally, could go under so

abruptly. Even those who have been monitoring WFT for some time and could

say they saw it coming, would not have expected such a dramatic end to the

organisation founded by respected wildlife conservationist Dr Boonsong

Lekagul in 1983.

 

WFT staff had for some time been questioning the authority of president

Pisit na Phattalung, who was accused of being involved in wildlife trading,

which they said was incompatible with his official capacity at the

organisation. Pisit, who denied the allegation, responded in May by ordering

then-WFT secretary-general Surapol Duangkhae sidelined. WFT staff in turn

reacted by calling for Pisit's resignation over alleged improper conduct.

 

After the announcement of the closure, Pisit told reporters that WFT would

resume operations once its problems are resolved, although no timeframe was

given. Questions remain regarding the nature of the actual problems facing

WFT that forced its board to suspend operations. The lack of transparency in

the way the conservation organisation had been operating, particularly under

the leadership of Pisit, is glaring.

 

The public became aware of problems at WFT through rumours, speculation and

word of mouth. Scandals at WFT have not been widely reported in the mass

media in part because of a lack of whistle blowers in the NGO community.

This is very disappointing because when it comes to digging up information

to expose wrong-headed government policies, blunders or incidents of

corruption, NGO workers are some of the most vocal, but when it comes to the

alleged wrongdoings committed by one of their own, they fall silent.

 

Non-government organisations, such as the WFT, have always been at the

forefront of the campaign to raise public awareness and persuade people to

rally in order to try to get the government to change its policies. Often in

the course of doing their work, they demand that government authorities

share official information with the public in order to promote transparency

in government decision making, as well as to increase public accountability.

 

It is therefore ironic that most NGOs do not practise what they preach.

Organisations like the WFT, which raise funds directly from members of the

public as well as from corporate sponsors and foreign supporters, do not

feel duty bound to be accountable to the public by making available truthful

and accurate information about such serious problems as the allegations that

connect Pisit to the wildlife trade.

 

In today's world, which is dominated by the government and the private

sector, NGOs and civil-society groups play a crucial role in

counterbalancing the powers of the state and big business by ensuring that

individuals and communities participate in a meaningful way in the

government's decision-making based on access to relevant and accurate

information. NGOs that act as advocates, educators and facilitators seeking

to empower the people must themselves remain beyond reproach in terms of the

transparency of their decision-making and a strict adherence to the

principles of sound governance in all aspects of their operations.

 

NGOs need to meet all these requirements not only to enhance their

credibility, inspire public trust and bolster their credentials as

campaigners for worthy causes, but also to help encourage people to donate

funds or volunteer their time to participate in actions needed to bring

about change for the better in all activities and noble objectives that they

set out to achieve.

 

It is unfortunate that what is happening at WFT is not the exception to the

rule. Too many NGOs in this country are being run by autocratic activists

who do not feel the need to be accountable to anyone. This can't be good if

NGOs and civil-society groups hope to improve their chances at making a

greater impact in society as a force for good.