Improved NGO financing necessary for operations<\/p>\n
SEOUL: The recent controversy involving one of the nation's
\nleading civic groups, Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice
\n(CCEJ), again brought to the surface a crucial problem facing the
\nnascent civil society in the country in general -- how to raise
\nfunds necessary for its operation.<\/p>\n
The organization was found to have sent notes to several
\nstate-invested firms prior to its fund-raising event held in
\nNovember, requesting contributions of up to 10 million won. As a
\nresult, the group collected a total of 47 million won from 10
\ncompanies including 12 million won from three state-run
\ncorporations -- Korea Electric Power Corp., Korea National
\nHousing Corp. and Korea National Tourism Corp.<\/p>\n
The fact that a civil organization has solicited money from
\nspecific state-invested firms itself poses a serious question
\nabout the morality of the group. The organization last year
\nundertook not to receive any subsidies from the government when
\npublic criticisms were raised over the validity of a boycott
\ncampaign against \"unqualified politicians\" conducted by civic
\ngroups financially supported by the government.<\/p>\n
The timing of this recent request by the CCEJ for funds was
\nparticularly inappropriate, given the fact that the organization
\nhad just demanded that heads of the state-run corporations make
\npublic how they used their expense accounts. The group officials
\nstrongly denied any intentions behind the disclosure of misused
\nfunds, saying that they had already conducted probes into the
\nexpense accounts of the executives of state-run businesses for
\nseveral months. But the fact that the two coincided is enough to
\nraise the question whether the civic group's probes were a form
\nof indirect pressure for more donations.<\/p>\n
Even more disconcerting is the attitude displayed by the CCEJ
\nofficials since the controversy erupted. By arguing that they
\nhave received financial support from state-invested firms since
\n1997, they seemed to insist that receiving donations from the
\nstate companies was something taken for granted. But officials of
\nthe state firms are saying that the request for donations is no
\ndifferent from the demand for appropriation of the corporate
\nfunds.<\/p>\n
Financial independence has been a most urgent issue facing
\nnon-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the country, which have
\na short history spanning some 10 years or so. The theory is that
\nthese organizations should be operated with the membership fees
\nand voluntary donations from individuals and the corporate
\nsector. The reason cited for this is that civic organizations can
\nfulfill their function of monitoring the government and
\nbusinesses only when they are financially independent.<\/p>\n
In reality, however, it is almost impossible for civic
\norganizations in Korea to meet all their running expenses solely
\nfrom membership fees. The public's participation in NGO
\nactivities is still very limited. CCEJ is one of the biggest
\ncivic groups in Korea with some 35,000 members. But membership
\nfees only cover 30-40 percent of its budget, which amounts to
\nsome 1 billion won. The situations facing other smaller civic
\norganizations are still worse. The problem is that these NGOs are
\nexpanding their influence and power, without resolving this
\nfundamental problem of how to meet their expenses and retain
\ntheir independence at the same time.<\/p>\n
The positive function and importance of NGOs in modern society
\nneeds no further elaboration. In Korea also, the civil
\norganizations fully demonstrated the potential of their power
\nthrough their successful campaign to boycott corrupt and
\nunqualified politicians on the eve of the general elections last
\nApril. But as long as these organizations are left on a weak
\nfinancial footing as they are now, we cannot rule out the
\npossibility that an increasing number of NGOs will become prone
\nto some kinds of irregularities like soliciting donations from
\norganizations targeted by their monitoring activities.<\/p>\n
The government should seek ways to assist them. Extending
\nbenefits like the discounted rates in postal, telephone and other
\ncommunications services may be one way. These organizations could
\nalso be given taxation benefits on the facilities they use.<\/p>\n
Civil organizations should also make greater efforts to induce
\ncitizens' participation in their activities. While these groups
\nblame their weak financial state mainly on the public's
\nindifference, we believe that they have not made adequate efforts
\nto publicize their activities among the public. Their financial
\nwoes aside, the civil society cannot exist and function
\neffectively without active participation of the citizenry.<\/p>\n
-- The Korea Herald\/Asia News Network<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/improved-ngo-financing-necessary-for-operations-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }