The Role of European Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs) in the Development and Democratisation of Cameroon : Challenges and Prospects

Abstract: Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from Europe have been very active in the field of development in third world countries. This thesis therefore is based on the topic ‘The Role of European Non Governmental Organisations in the Development and Democratisation of Cameroon.Challenges and Prospects’. Increasing fundings from the EU and the national governments of these organisations have been made available to these NGOs to carry out development projects in the south but unfortunately as reports say, the level of global poverty has been rising especially in Africa that has 30 nations among the world’s poorest 32 nations (UNHDR 2005). Taking Cameroon as a case since 1990 is because of the researcher’s interest in that country’s poverty reduction programmes as well as decentralisation which are in line with the activities of the European NGOs. In critically looking at their roles, attention is focused on the following NGOs: The Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV Highlands), The Swiss Association for International Cooperation (HELVETAS) and Plan International- Cameroon which is a UK based organisation. The previous two have been working in Cameroon for over twenty five years in the field of development. Some of their projects carried out are looked into also and some of the challenges they face in the field. From this point, we could know if there are prospects for economic development or not. Possible theories like Osvaldo Sunkel’s ‘External Dependence and National Development Policy’ would be reviewed but the main theory however will be Democratisation theory that can suit the role of civil societies and NGOs. Analysis of related literature or document will be the methodology used because of the inability to undertake field research. It is hoped that this work will provide an additional framework on which development organisations can rely in the fight against poverty and underdevelopment in third world countries.