Compassion and Compromise: The Policy and Practice of Australian Non-Government Development Aid Agencies

Abstract

In tandem with growth in acceptance by academics and development practitioners of the validity of theories of participatory development, non-government organisations delivering assistance to the developing world have rapidly increased in numbers and financial size. This research contributes to understanding of this little-studied group of agencies by outlining the history and development of Australian non-government development aid agencies, noting general changes and trends in the sector as a whole; studying a group of five Australian non-government agencies to enable comparative analysis of their activities; and comparing the behaviour of these agencies with the general strengths and weaknesses of voluntary development assistance agencies which are commonly cited in literature about them. Study of the policies and practices of individual agencies revealed that their activities are moulded by a complex web of factors including their genesis and historical development; influential individuals; the fund-raising imperative; their decision-making structures; the extent of contact and liaison with beneficiary groups; and their relationships with other organisations, including international aid agencies, denominational churches, other Australian non-government aid agencies, the Australian Council For Overseas Aid, and the Australian International Development Assistance Bureau. Despite common goals of assisting the poor in the developing world, the differences between the organisational histories, philosophies, modus operandi and development programs of individual agencies are considerable, reflecting variable responses to the influences on agency policies and practices. The history of Australian non-government aid organisations has been marked by compromise as the agencies strive to implement their compassionate ideals. They struggle to learn from past experiences and improve the efficacy of their aid; to balance the needs of recipients with the demands of competing for financial survival; and more recently, to access government funding while retaining their individuality and autonomy. Aid delivered by Australian non-government organisations does not necessarily or solely reflect claims commonly made about voluntary agencies: that they are free from commercial considerations and independent of government; are flexible, innovative and prepared to take risks; have accurate knowledge of needs of the poor; and that their prime concern is to impart skills to enable the poor to become architects of their own development.