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By Cyril Ritchie, Vice President, Union of International Associations, UIA
Encouragement. In the short life of the World of Associations News, readers have been "entertained" by introductory articles illustrating Pertinence, Practicality, Prattle, Pathos, Philosophy, and Predicaments. So what better way to keep up the momentum than by introducing in this issue another dreaded "P Word": Politics. Some other P Words may creep in. For those who are still reading, let me explain that my purpose is to help the Great Meeting Industry readers of this newsletter understand that they need not be apprehensive about dealing with associations/NGOs and the like that are engaged in Politics. Because in one way or another all NGOs are engaged in Politics.
It is a Phenomenon of the times, and indeed of all times. What, for example, was the Anti-Slavery Movement but a worthy model precursor of today’s NGOs combating modern-day evils (not that slavery has yet been eliminated, alas). And in combating slavery, or torture, or trafficking in human beings, or violence against women, or discrimination against minorities, NGOs are necessarily – and rightly – being political. Eradicating such evils first and foremost requires political decisions, political courage, political determination – and political allocation of funds. Of course there is a vital moral and ethical imperative in campaigning to eliminate these blights on humanity, but without political advocacy and political will, progress is difficult to achieve.
The same Principles of course apply when NGOs are campaigning and advocating FOR a good cause, rather than solely AGAINST an evil. It is essential to put the political imperative to the forefront when seeking publicy to save children from malaria, to increase girls’ access to education, to expand reproductive health rights, to boost fair trade, to strengthen social cohesion, to develop renewable energy, to green the planet, to promote sustainable development.
In all these areas, hundreds if not thousands of NGOs and associations are actively engaged, every day and every year, working assiduously to persuade Public authorities and Parliamentarians to make the right political decisions. NGOs shed light into the sombre corners of humanity, they light candles rather than curse the darkness, they make the Public aware of what must be done – and what can be done – to expand human welfare and social justice.
And surely, expanding human welfare and social justice are what politics are all about. Or should be... NGOs that "only" provide services (running soup kitchens, blood banks, kindergartens, safe houses for battered women, sporting clubs for handicapped youth... ) are also honourable and honoured partners in this universal political campaign to improve the human condition. Such NGOs identify basic human needs, they get on with doing something practical about meeting those needs, and they thereby contribute mightily to creating the political awareness that solutions are possible.
Didn’t some wise person say "Politics is the art of the possible"? NGOs are the artists of the politically possible. Welcome them as such, foster them, encourage them, and – why not? Fund them!