Does Anyone Care; Inclusion in the INGO-NGO Sector, Evidence from Pakistan

• In Event: Poster Session: Experimental Research & Qualitative and Multi-Method Research
  In Poster Session: Poster Session: Qualitative and Multi-Method Research

Abstract

This project investigates a major normative claim made by northern International Non-Government Organizations (INGOs); the inclusion of marginalized minorities. The dominant narrative is that minority exclusion is a result of domestic factors. However, I find that INGO activity creates an environment detrimental to ethnic and religious inclusion. Inclusion is a result of the commitment that actors make to universal human rights and equality. Minorities are under-represented in social and political institutions. Thus, in the absence of this commitment, they remain underrepresented in all activities that rely on the status quo. I share my findings from field work spanning three months in Pakistan. I use multiple methods to get at the complexity of the interaction between INGOs and domestic actors. Interviews with practitioners show that the influx of INGOs in the country and the corporatization of the sector are major factors that have hurt the normative position of both INGOs and NGOs. Interestingly, stronger NGOs are the biggest critics of their international counterparts and blame them for damaging the ‘spirit’ of the sector. INGOs themselves are quite interested in being inclusive, but acknowledge that this is difficult given the circumstances. FGDs with communities reveal that INGOs rely on existing social structures that are not inclusive. There are major differences between the outcomes of the FGD’s with the ‘majority’ and meetings with individuals from the minority groups. Even when there are no ethnic tensions, there is a lack of trust between different groups. Minorities are more likely to recognize repression, but are isolated from the community mobilization activities. They complain that INGOs do not support them despite their vulnerable status. By taking different actors into account, this paper speaks to the literature on the effect of INGO activity on host countries, the relationship between INGOs and NGOs, and relations between ethnic groups. This study contributes to both theory and practice. Theoretically, INGOs do not passively work with what they are given. They influence the culture of the non-profit sector; which creates differences that last a long time after the INGOs are gone. From a policy viewpoint, exclusionary practices in the sector are a result of a poor incentive structure for domestic actors, especially NGOs. An incentive based approach will be more successful in achieving goals that challenge the status quo. I list a number of best practices and success stories that show that with the right incentives, NGOs are not only inclusive, but actively work to reach out to minorities and ensure that they do indeed benefit the most vulnerable communities.

Author

• Laila Farooq, Institute of Business Administration (IBA)