Illiteracy, HIV/AIDS, 2008 NGO Web Awards

A common critique of organisations working in the development sector is that of excess spending, with little result or impact. Whether this is a fair criticism or not, the vast majority of NGOs, CSOs and development agencies are cognisant of the need to demonstrate that they spend wisely on projects and interventions that are making a difference. This is only possible, however, if development work is underpinned by transparent monitoring, evaluation and response mechanisms that support our work. Unfortunately, we do not always get it right.

The two articles featured in this week’s edition of NGO Pulse point to instances where the writers believe we are ‘not getting it right’. Writing of his experience at the recent International AIDS Conference (IAC) in Mexico City, Paul Smith* expresses his concern over the spectacle that the IACs have become. “Maybe AIDS fatigue is a real thing and I have succumbed to the narcolepsy after having to sit through the same show over and over again”, he writes.

“What value does this conference and others like it, actually add to our work? Is the conference really worth it? Is it not time for us to consider doing it differently? Is it not time that we actually realise the sectors’ reputation for innovation and consider alternative (less costly, more effective, more honest) ways of sharing and learning?” he asks. Click here to read the full article.

Christo van der Rheede, executive officer of the Stigting vir Bemagtiging deur Afrikaans, examines the “literacy crisis” South Africa faces. He argues that the “billions of rands” government is spending on addressing the crisis will not have a significant impact as long as the “fragmented approach to the implementation of the ABET process and inability to launch a uniform, strategic plan” is not addressed.

Van der Rheede offers practical suggestions to address the “literacy crisis” and writes, “we should challenge the self-serving agendas of the big ABET service providers and inept bureaucrats who simply ignore the fundamental pedagogical principle that the teaching of basic literacy and skills should be conducted in mother tongue.” Click here to read the full article.

Smith’s* concerns notwithstanding, the impact of HIV and AIDS in Africa demands an urgent and large scale response. Two weeks ago we published an article by Tian Johnson from the Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme (TVEP) in which he argued that universal access to the female condom is critical to save women’s lives. The report on the recent ‘2008 Thohoyando Victim Empowerment Dialogues: Universal Access to Female Condoms... A Human Rights Issue’ is now available. Click here to download it.

On another note, the deadline for entries for the SANGONeT 2008 NGO Web Awards has been extended until Friday, 3 October. Remember to send in your entry to jan@sangonet.org.za

In preparation for the upcoming MobileActive08  taking place from 13-15 October, last month’s poll aimed to establish whether you thought mobile technology can help NGOs meet their development objectives. Out of the 98 votes, 71 percent (69) believed this to be the case to a significant degree, 26 percent (25) felt that mobile technology could help to some extent, while 2.1 percent (2) thought it did not help at all.

This month we ask whether NGOs should own private equity to avoid dependency on donor funding. To cast your vote, please refer to the bottom right of the SANGONeT Portal where the poll is displayed.

Do you think we are getting it right? We invite you to respond to the articles we publish today and as always invite your comments and suggestions.

*Not his real name

As always, we invite your comments and suggestions.

- Janine Moolman, editor@sangonet.org.za