The Importance of Accountability

By: Emmanuel Foro

February 9, 2015

Mental Models, Compassion, and Good Governance

The suggestion that we change our “mental models” resonates with the doctrine of Catholic social thought. This change involves communicating "undying hope” and active involvement in the transformation of human hearts. Transparency and accountability are integral parts of such mentality changes towards greater “selflessness” with the vital human quality of “compassion.” Some countries, like Rwanda, have already undertaken a plan to have NGOs dedicate the better part of their funds to actually helping the needy and the lesser part to internal operations and salaries. The case of the recent suspension of the NGO International Relief and Development by the United States Agency for International Development indicates that this shift is also necessary for all humanitarian and social organizations dedicated to the promotion of human dignity in all of its aspects.
Short of such commitment and rigor, clever people, like vultures, would endlessly “feed” on the ill fate of the poor. A change of this mentality would require more “evaluations from below”—that is to say that the success of humanitarian operations is most clearly shown in the self-expressed views of the targeted beneficiaries, to be collected in partnership with competent third-party organizations for the sake of greater objectivity. How can we promote greater self-expression of the poor in our “preferential option for the poor”?
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