In a thought-provoking analysis, World Habitat CEO David Ireland examines the growing global trend of laws targeting foreign-funded NGOs as a subtle method of undermining democracy. Ireland explains how over 60 countries, home to nearly two-thirds of the world's population, have introduced regulations forcing NGOs to register as "foreign agents" or face severe restrictions on receiving international funding.
Ireland argues that while governments justify these laws as safeguarding against external influence, they primarily serve to silence dissent and reduce scrutiny in increasingly authoritarian regimes. He acknowledges that scandals within the NGO sector have damaged public perception, particularly in the Global South, but emphasises that international organisations must adapt rather than withdraw.
World Habitat's approach includes following local laws, taking direction from local partners, and consulting with government representatives when possible, recognising that NGOs' role in supporting unrepresented populations is more crucial than ever as democratic freedoms decline worldwide.
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