Not only official development policy, but also the work of NGOs has come under pressure to reform. The optimistic belief that cooperation with NGO partners in the south would lead quasi automatically to better results has faded. In this sector, too, questions are being asked about efficiency control, better coordination, and focus instead of a ‘shotgun’ approach to the work. In the case of NGOs engaged in development policy, it is not only their standing that has become greater. Their number, budgets and influence–and their closeness to governments–have also gained in quantity and strength. NGOs are now ‘in’ with governments, the media and international development cooperation agencies. NGOs are seen as the ‘miracle weapon’ in the battle against increasing poverty in large parts of the world. The NGOs closeness to grassroots organisations in the south, their emphasis on help for self-help, and their independence from the foreign policy and economic interests of the north, allows them to orient their cooperation activities on the basic needs of the people in developing countries. And that enables the NGOs to make a credible and effective contribution to social change. But this self-made claim leads the public to expect big things of the organisations, which perhaps cannot be fulfilled.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR M. Lakshmi Narasaiah
Dr. M. Lakshmi Narasaiah, has been working as Professor and Head, Department of Economics, Sri Krishnadevaraya University Post-Graduate Centre, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. He is a Post-Graduate in Economics and has secured first rank. He has received Ph.D., Degree from Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, in 1987. He has worked as UGC JRF and UGC SRF. Starting his professional career as an Assistant Professor of Economics in Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, he has been actively engaged in teaching and research for the past twenty years. He was associated with the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Planning Department in the center for planning and Development studies projects. He has extensively travelled abroad. He has to his credit 175 research papers published in reputed National and International Journals, a large number of book reviews and seminar papers besides supervising M.Phil., and Ph.D., studies. He is also working on number of research projects. He has frequently participated in national and international conference. He is author of 27 books. Prof. M. Lakshmi Narasaiah is a member of large number of national and international associations and is associated with academic in several universities and professional organization. He has been acting as a member of the "Review Committee" he various international economic journals.
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