[asia-apec 352] Research on APEC and NGOs

[daga]

following is the abstract of a thesis entitled International NGO activity
and sustainable development: the case of the Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation forum. 

Those interested can directly get in touch with the author at the indicated
e-mail address.

     Henry Leveson-Gower
     _________________________________________________
     National Centre for Development Studies
     Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies
     The Australian National University
     Canberra ACT 0200  AUSTRALIA
     Tel: 61 (0)6 274 1449 Fax: 61 (0)6 274 1878
     Email: Hleveson-gower at dest.gov.au
 
     Abstract
     
     This study examines the nature of NGO activity linked with APEC and 
     their possible role in promoting sustainable development.  Different 
     theories of social movements are identified to use as a framework to 
     assist in understanding NGO activity linked with APEC, including new 
     social movement theory, resource mobilisation theory and the politics 
     of influence.  It is concluded that NGOs involved in activities linked 
     with APEC are acting as agents for change seeking to influence both 
     civil society and political structures to promote sustainable 
     development, mainly through articulating alternative visions and 
     meanings for sustainable development.  It is suggested that resource 
     mobilisation theory has limited explanatory usefulness in 
     understanding this process.  Different NGOs involved in these 
     activities do have different understandings of sustainable 
     development, different views of their role and make different 
     strategic judgements.  These interwoven differences underlie the 
     central debate amongst NGOs on whether or not to engage with APEC 
     suggesting a need for an increased self-reflective dialogue amongst 
     these NGOs.