Our group meandered through the streets of Davao and into a building that blended in perfectly with its surroundings. The building belonged to the INGO that we would be working with throughout the duration of our research. This particular organization has actively participated in the conflict in Mindanao for eighteen years.
An expat was head of mission for this particular INGO. It seems counterintuitive for a white male, clearly not from the Philippines, to be addressing the conflict in a leadership position. Wouldn’t it make more sense if Filipino natives were leading this mission? What is unique about this particular expat that gives him the job over a native? I look forward to learning more about this particular competent of the INGO.
Most of the employees, moreover, are Filipino natives and everyone has a strong foundation in the conflict. The staff had provided a history that had allowed for a greater understanding of the conflict. Furthermore, the organization outlined a series of issues that, they believe, are the root cause of this conflict. High rates of poverty, poor governance and land possession conflicts are some issues contributing to the conflict.
Clearly the introduction provided by this INGO has been used to market their organization to donors in the past; they even admitted that fact. The INGO advertises itself as a group that works through locals and their NGOs and CSOs in order to fulfill its mission. The INGO emphasized their belief that issues surrounding the conflict are best understood and therefore solved by the people close to it, which I agree with. It is important for INGOs to utilize the communities in order to address the problems associated with the communities the INGOs have pledged to serve. It seems that the INGO has a reasonable foundation in their approach to conflict resolution.
https://youtu.be/GWQoQE7rm3s
