1. Civil Society, NGOs, and Governance Professor NIAZ AHMED KHAN, Ph.D. (Wales) University of Dhaka, Bangladesh And University of Wales, UK

2. Presentations by Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan Revisiting the Concepts: Governance and Civil Society/NGOs Defining Governance as inclusive of Civil Society/NGOs: The functioning of state and of civil society, their interaction and processes, norms and institutions by which they operate at the various levels, ranging from international to national, regional and local, and in all the areas of concern to society i.e. the economic, social, cultural and political sectors (UNU) The exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage a nation's affairs at all levels. It is the complex mechanisms, processes, and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights and obligations and mediate their differences (UNDP)

3. Presentations by Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan Revisiting the Concepts: Governance and Civil Society/NGOs (continued) Identifying NGOs/CS in the Three Sectors The First Sector: The Government: providing essential structure of governance and general welfare The Second Sector: Business: making a profit. The Third Sector: the Voluntary Sector (not clearly defined); neither part of the government or business; providing some service/benefits to members and non members: private, voluntary, non profit, formal and serving a definable public purpose Some Definitional Issues Autonomous associations of individuals formed voluntary to pursue some common goals, general and specific, with private or state or international financial support under legal framework of a state Components of CS: NGOs; Media; Trade unions; Professional bodies; Private voluntary organisations; Sports and cultural bodies; Social welfare organisations

4. Presentations by Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan The Diversity of Voluntary Associations Membership Organisations (helping their members) Organisations into which you are born Organisations which you join in your village or birth place National organisations Local and national religious and philanthropic organisations Trade associations Non membership organisations Local and national philanthropic organizations Hometown organizations Humanitarian organisations SectorMotivationResourceResource mobilization governmentTo governState property Law, command, coercion BusinessTo make profit Private property Trade and exchange VoluntaryTo improve peoples’ lives Own time, energy, personal resources Shared commitment to action with other citizens and by shared values

5. Presentations by Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan Role of the Civil Society and NGOs in Promoting Good Governance Role of NGOs: Marginal role in policy formulations Some recent NGOs active in advocacy of special needs for the disadvantaged Some role in women empowerment – yet to make it central in their advocacy efforts Mutual suspicion and inadequate links with other CS organisations Visible progress in: establishment of democratic processes; Poverty reduction; Women's rights; Education; Health and FP; Environment

6. Presentations by Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan Some commonly cited (comparative) advantages of NGOs Targeted development Experimental and innovative approaches Advocacy and lobbying More actor oriented/need based activities Flexibility in functioning, methods and practices More participatory in style Relative independence Some commonly cited criticism and reflections on weaknesses of NGOs Spatial limitation Inadequate transparency and good governance Patchwork-quilt phenomenon (service delivery in already better-off regions, inequitable concentration) Inability to reach the poorest of the poor Antagonistic attitude towards the state Palliative nature of service provision/inability to facilitate basic change Limited ability to influence macro policies Inadequate accountability

7. Presentations by Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan Role of the Civil Society and NGOs in Promoting Good Governance (continued) Role of Trade Unions Participation in central forums Visible activities in selected urban centres Recent labor unrest in RMG sector Extreme politicization Resistance to privatization Role of Media Public opinion formation on critical national and governance issues Increasingly strong role in ensuring governmental accountability Legal environment for free press better than before Selected advocacy roles Public sector media still under the yokes of the government Role of Cultural Organisations and Professional Bodies Cultural org highly conscious of management of state affairs issues Limited audience Demonstrated commitment Increasingly active role of Professional Bodies Partisan activities and politicization of many of the professional bodies

8. Presentations by Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan Accountability of NGOs/Civil Society Accountability entails an obligation to report its activities, role and performance to an agreed authority or set of people Responsibility can be delegated; but accountability cannot Locuses of External Accountability Civic duty to abide by laws > civil authorities; Government as monitor of NGO services; Government control versus monitor of legitimacy; National Parliament; Funding source

9. Presentations by Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan Locuses of Internal Accountability Governing Body Executive Committee etc. Constitution, memorandum etc. Members in Membership based NGOs ‘Listening’ to clients; but not strictly accountable to clients Facilitating and Promoting Accountability Making activities visible and transparent: full disclosure of financial transactions; annual reports; audits; public disclosure; publications; Reporting to relevant government agencies (e.g. NGOAB); Participation in various governmental coordination platforms, e.g. the District Coordination Committee; More responsiveness to clients: flexibility and field oriented approach; demand-led programmes; Gender sensitivity; not to become ‘patron’ of the poor clients but a ‘listening partner’; ensuring flexibility to respond to the unanticipated and new needs in the lives of the poor

10. Presentations by Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan Questions and Key References Questions to Ponder Give a critical account of the issues and problems of accountability of development organizations with particular reference to the Bangladesh context. What would you suggest or recommend to promote accountability of NGO operations? Analyse the role of NGOs and civil society in promoting good govenance in Bangladesh Key References Hye H.A. (ed.) 2000. Governance: South Asian Perspectives, The University Press Limited, Dhaka Barenstein J. 1994. Overcoming Fussy Governance in Bangladesh, University Press Limited, Dhaka. Rahman H.Z. 2005. Engaging on ‘Good Governance’: A Search for Entry Points, Power and Participation Research Centre, Dhaka. The World Bank. Bangladesh: Pursuing Common Goals: Strengthening Relations between Government and Development NGOs, UPL, Dhaka, 1996 (especially Chapter 6. Holloway R. Supporting Citizen’s Initiatives: Bangladesh’s NGOs and Society, UPL, Dhaka, 1998.