Zainul Abidin
Research Assosiate The Reform Initiatives & Media and Communication Wahid Foundation
Are NGOs truly building social change, or merely executing donor-driven projects?
This question deserves serious reflection, especially as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) continue to play an increasingly prominent role in Indonesia’s social development landscape. Over the past two years working in this sector as a Media and Communication Officer, I have witnessed firsthand the complex interplay between idealism, programmatic strategy, and institutional reality. Many NGOs proudly position themselves at the forefront of struggles for social justice, tolerance, and community empowerment. Yet behind the rhetoric of change and empowerment lies a paradox often left unspoken: institutions that advocate for justice frequently fail to embody justice within themselves.
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