LSMs self-reliant?<\/p>\n
It would not be an exaggeration to say that local LSMs (NGOs)
\nin Indonesia are mushrooming. This is because many people are not
\nsatisfied with the results of rapid national development, which
\nhas brought unexpected problems. The problems are emerging at
\nnational, regional and especially village levels.<\/p>\n
People living in rural areas often become victim of
\ndevelopment. In an attempt to address the situation, the
\ngovernment has come up with the IDT (presidential program for
\nleast developed villages) program, which is considered one of the
\nbest alternatives to fight poverty. But still the IDT program
\nhardly works in the eyes of certain groups of people. They then
\ncome up with their own alternatives under the flag of an LSM,
\nwhich can be literally translated in English as Self-reliant
\nInstitution. At the international level the LSM is often
\nderisively referred to as an NGO by Indonesian officials.<\/p>\n
The rural areas, sometimes called "the poverty bags", are the
\nmost strategic and potential position for the LSMs to set up.
\nMost of the time they declare themselves to be the most effective
\nand efficient agents of development. They criticize the
\ngovernment and others who are not in line with them.<\/p>\n
Some are radical and confrontational in articulating their
\nmission and vision, and some are calm and more cooperative with
\nthe government. The latter groups mostly focus on practical
\nactivities to directly help their beneficiaries. But it is not
\nrare for them to collide with government ideas and programs. They
\ncompete to raise funds for survival. No money, no project.<\/p>\n
As the development process goes on and LSMs mushroom, the
\ncompetition for financial assistance from funding agencies
\n(mostly foreign NGOs) is getting tougher and tougher. The LSMs
\nhave to work very hard to prove their abilities to funding
\nagencies. And most importantly they must carry out their tasks in
\nagreement with the donor. They are in fact highly dependent on
\nfunding agencies.<\/p>\n
Ironically, despite wanting to help people help themselves,
\nthe LSMs themselves are in fact not self-reliant.<\/p>\n
ABDURRAHMAN BINSYEH<\/p>\n
ABUBAKAR<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/lsms-self-reliant-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }