What is your perception of aid coming from an other culture an an other country?
It’s a challenge, isn’t it. You have to be very sensitive on how much you challenge and how much you assist countries to achieve MDGs. I think it is how you approach… is about dialogue, about communication, it is certainly not taking a dictatorial or accusatory attitude towards any country or colture.
Do you think that local communities have say in how the aid is used?
That is one of the biggest challenge, i would say. We get it badly wrong in occasion… because if you want to be inclusive and genuine then you need to work at very grass root level and you need to do you over a very long period of time because you want to include the voices of the most disfranchised. To get that authentic voice takes trust, takes time, takes investment… and very often agencies don’t have that length of time to achieve the scope of goals they want to. The challenge of listening and being inclusive of community voices means that you have a much stronger solution to their problem… and i genuinely believe that all communities can actually find their own solution if you create the right space around them, the enabling environment and create the resources to make change, they can often come up with the right answers.
Do you think cause related marketing can ensure a flow of corporate fund in the social sector?
Julian Parr, Regional Manager South-East Asia, Oxfam GB
Where I’m more interested in companies is around their supply chain. You can buy a bottle of Coca-Cola in every corner of India. Now if I could use their supply chain for public health messages…
For an example, getting banks to put HIV safe sex messages on each of their bank and pay slips… there is where i find companies and private sectors can really make a difference. You are here getting an access which organizations like mine or even governments can never reach. I am more interested in using companies for dissemination rather than cause related marketing.
“A robust civil society is hugely important for a process democratization and hearing the peoples voices. NGOs now should not just deliver services, which the government should do, but move towards policy and advocacy”
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