There is increasing social and governmental recognition of the roles NGOs have to play in development. NGOs need to be able to collaborate with each other and relevant ministries in ODA activities, and need to ably share updated information with concerned organizations.

To facilitate the exchange of information and ideas among NGOs, the 3rd NGO National Network meeting was held in Yokohama, from 19th to 20th February. Around 130 NGO and ODA representatives from all over Japan in the fields of health, education, environment, and advocacy, attended.

The working group meets

Yoko Kitazawa, Chair, Japan Peace Society, and Representative, Jubilee 2000 Japan, said that governments everywhere were becoming more accepting of the roles and activities of NGOs. Even community-based organizations, such as cooperatives, in developing countries are being empowered and cannot be ignored, she said, and their voices reach people in developed countries.

While global ODA is estimated at US$55 billion per year, with Japan contributing US$11 billion of this, 'Northern' NGOs assistance to 'Southern' NGOs is an additional US$8.5 billion. One of the effects of this money has been the capacity building or structural development of Southern NGOs, who are now becoming more able to conduct their own activities. This has led to the question being raised "Where now Northern NGOs?"

Hideyuki Takahashi, Director, Resource Development and Campaign, JOICFP, and Head, NGO Consortium for NGO-Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Committee on Collaborative Program Development, and Head,NGO Consortium for NGO-JICA Consultative Meeting on Program Development, outlined results of the collaboration between MOFA and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for more effective implementation of ODA.

He said that people at the grassroots in developing countries still have not been receiving relevant direct benefit compared with the total amount spent in the bilateral structure of ODA. In fact, he stated, ODA may increase the differences between rich and poor in the developing countries because it does not necessarily reach the grassroots.

During the plenary session

He went on to explain that NGOs need a greater role in ensuring that ODA actually does benefit those in need, and that this will contribute to achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals.

ODA - public money

In a question and answer session, the point was raised that ODA was in fact public money from taxes, not for any particular organization or agency for execution and implementation. It was suggested that greater coordination and collaboration among project implementing, networking and advocacy NGOs be carried out to better inform the public of ODA activities, and to help ensure public views being better reflected in ODA delivery.

Representatives from MOFA and JICA gave presentations on NGO collaboration, stressing that, especially recently, results of collaboration had been good. Although the total amount of ODA from Japan has been decreasing year by year, the amount of financial resources allocated for NGOs has increased, they said, reflecting the enhanced understanding of the value and capabilities of NGOs.