During a conversation over a cup of coffee, a friend who works in a local reputable commercial bank made a mid-sip interjection that caught me off guard: ‘Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) fabricate their reports to make money.’ The statements that ensued from this initial comment highlighted his deep-rooted skepticism of NGO work. Given his limited encounters with the sector in his personal and professional life, I was initially surprised. But as we delved deeper into our conversation, I realised his mindset of mistrust over NGO actors is far from new in Nepal’s public rhetoric. Cynicism over NGO work has been brewing for generations. Today, NGO work is likely one of the least trusted and most criticised approaches to development in Nepal. The sector is primarily slammed for its reliance on projects funded by International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGOs) and international donors. Because of their associations with International groups, NGOs are often contorted to represent foreign values and, by proxy, are often viewed by traditionalists with deep suspicion. It is important to challenge this narrative by highlighting the sweeping generalisations made in these debates.
URL: https://kathmandupost.com/opinion/2018/12/27/sweeping-away-generalisations
