Memo+23+Describing+Organizations+(Dan+F)

I would like to take this opportunity to point out a group of organizations who I feel have little to no place in development because of the negative impacts they cannot predict and have impure motivations. The group is NGO/INGOs and a good example of the problem is any religious involvement. The religious groups have the noblest of intentions, but they cannot see what they are doing because they are effectively blinded by there faith. While it is less common then it once was for religious views to be openly forced on others as a way of saving them with the added bonus of some type of free development aid, it still does occur even if it is inadvertent. By working with others closely, it is impossible not to pass on some of your own beliefs and understanding of the world. This is not necessarily a problem but it can be if any action can be justified by the belief that something is done the way it should be. Religion has no place in development. It is well meaning and may accomplish great things but not without consequences. I am willing to concede that if a religious group helps a group of their own religion it negates the negative transfer, but it also creates inequality because the larger religious groups with get more attention leading some groups to convert just to get the aid benefits.

Another huge issue that shoots off from NGO/INGOs is free aid. Handouts do not work long-term and they come to be expected. I could probably write endlessly on the subject but this is a good place to start for now.