Ooty:Nilgiri Documentation Centre (NDC) here recalled Bunker Roy’s visit to the Nilgiris wherein he mooted the NGO code of conduct three decades ago.
While the country is mourning the death of Sanjit ‘Bunker’ Roy, a famed social activist and educator who founded the Barefoot college – a voluntary organisation working in rural development by advancing drinking water and solar electrification initiatives, women empowerment, skill development and health care, NDC director D. Venugopal said his death was a blow to the world of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Among his many contributions to the voluntary sector, the initiative to evolve a ‘code of conduct’ for NGOs was path-breaking. The code was drafted exactly 33 years ago at Ooty.
“The Save Nilgiris Campaign and Environment Liaison Centre International, of which Roy was the president, organised a South Asian regional meeting at Ooty on 9-11-1993. The main agenda of the meeting was to draft a universal NGO code of conduct. The draft code of environment ethics and conduct was discussed, adopted and re-drafted. The members were unanimous in their appreciation for the pioneering effort to draw up a comprehensive code of ethics and conduct which could serve as a model for NGOs world over,” he noted.
While NGOs have grown to be a major partner world over in the development process, together with governments and their agencies, it is also a fact that the growth and spread of NGOs have been indiscriminate and, at times, controversial. Thus, it has been a long-felt need that NGOs should subject themselves to a voluntary code of ethics and conduct.
The code sought to impose the responsibilities of the concept of Gandhian Trusteeship which does not destroy self-respect or dignity.
It sought to protect and preserve and not to allow the north to exploit the south or deprive the south of jobs, a clean environment or increase its economic disparities. The code covered democratic functioning, accountability, transparency and cooperation, Venugopal pointed out.
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