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Dr Kim McGregor Recently resigned director of Rape Prevention Education |
Richard Northey Chair of the Problem Gambling Foundation, Aucklnd District Council of Social Services |
Priyanca Radhakrishnan Policy Research & Communications Assistant |
The political struggle for survival of NGOs is getting as tough as their financial plight. NGOs, the people who work in them and those that manage them, continue to work under a reminder to not bite the hand that’s feeds them! They work busy and stressed lives, going the extra yards to make a difference in other people’s lives but fully aware there is so much more that could be done. Historically, our most effective voluntary agencies have been those that have researched and spoken out for the needs of their clients to achieve policy change.
NGOs are critical in the life of a democracy. They responding to need, observe the impact of social and economic policy and make the plight of people and communities known. They point out the poor patterns of health and justice operating in our society and economy and they inform public debate. Their comments will challenge the inertia and complacency of the dominant and privileged. They will make submissions to proposed legislation and to policy proposals and rebut moves that would undermine the lives of communities.
In this way NGOs bring credible content to sustain the wellbeing of society systematically and effectively putting up the narratives and stories that some want to keep out of the public sphere. We have seen funding cuts made because organisations have been too vocal and 'reviews' instigated into the scope of social service activities as code for curtailing the way social services influence public debate. Staff, acting with all their professionalism, have been told they are not to speak!
We are thrilled to bring you a line-up that can make this point and defend the scope for free speech.
Ponsonby
Kennedy Room, St Columba Centre
Auckland, AUK
New Zealand