The role of NGOs

The role of NGOs

The Jakarta military commander's view of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) is most appropriate. So was his comment
regarding the existing false perception that all NGOs are trouble
makers that oppose the government.

He emphasized that NGOs are neither opposition nor trouble
makers, but good partners for the government. NGOs help preserve
stability in the regions. He said, however, that such wrong
perceptions could become reality if NGOs take a wrong direction
and become overzealous. He suggested that NGOs help correct those
wrong perceptions through positive actions and ideas.

The development and changes which society is undergoing are
rapid and intensive. The large, well managed and well equipped
organizations are inadequate for dealing with these developments
and changes. Nor are they adequate for serving the need of
societal groups to express themselves, to protect their interests
and to present their problems.

The home work that must be done is to creatively fortify this
positive impression and to correct the wrong perceptions
regarding NGOs. The political will and the goodwill that is
needed for this must come from all parties involved: the NGOs,
the community, including the mass media, and also from the
government and its apparatus.

-- Kompas, Jakarta