October 2005
Issue No. 383
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The big charity bonanza
Big international non-governmental organizations (bingos) are getting bigger but not better. David Ransom argues for a change of direction.

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from
THIS MONTH'S EDITOR

A few months ago, when the editors first turned to discussing the theme of this magazine – big international non-governmental organizations, or ‘bingos’ – one suggested that some of the criticisms we might wish to make of them could equally well apply to us. After all, if it hadn’t been for bingos like Oxfam or Christian Aid the NI would never have got off the ground in the first place. And it might similarly be said of us now, more than 30 years on, that had we achieved what we originally set out to do we would surely have put ourselves out of business.

I might try to refute this by pointing up the differences. Though the NI is ‘nonprofit’ – in the sense that profit is not the objective – it is not a registered charity. It is not funded by governments, corporations or – for over 25 years now – by bingos either. Being a workers’ co-operative stops us getting much bigger. Speaking truth to power, as best one knows how, is never likely to become superfluous…

But that would be to miss the point. As soon as organizations, like people, lose the ability to recognize or repair their own flaws then their useful life is limited. The same could even apply to a superpower, as recent events in New Orleans seem to illustrate. It may be vexing, but one’s best friends are often one’s sharpest critics. And that, needless to say, really does apply equally well to us.

David Ransom
for the New Internationalist Co-operative davidr@newint.org

Poetry Slam in Zimbabwe

The House of Hunger poetry slam held in Zimbabwe in 2006, and organised by the Pamberi Trust, showcased young artists performing inspirational work on issues from corporate power to child soldiers. The video features four of the poets.
Published by Pambazuka News.

Raised Voices video:

Atossa Soltani from Brazil on the Climate Change

Desmond Desai from South Africa on Corporate Power

Iranian women speak out

3 March 2007, London. Women's rights activists marched through the English capital last week to celebrate International Women's Day with a protest against the misogyny of the Islamic regime in Iran and the threat of invasion by the US. Hear the voices of Iranian feminists Azar and Leila Parnian and the sounds of the demonstration as it passed through the heart of the city. Click here to learn more about the campaign.
Produced by Heidi Bachram.

Raised Voices audio:

Benny from West Papua on Corporate Power

Vinayan from India on agriculture