E-Kantipur

Various criticisms, perspectives and personal frustrations have  spilled out in response to a discussion of the role of expatriates in International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) (“The expat factor,” Jan. 31, Page 6).  While some criticisms can prove useful to future INGO management, some could be seen as defensive responses to the bringing up of an uncomfortable topic. Such responses can hinder the growth of INGOs, hampering their efficiency in facilitating development in Nepal. These less constructive responses can also divide Nepalis and non-Nepalis among national and ethnic lines. 

Criticisms to “The expat factor” can be divided into three lines of thinking. The first line is expressed by Nepali nationals who have articulated their ire against expatriates for taking away jobs that could have otherwise belonged to locals. The second line is largely dominated by expatriates working in Nepal who have welcomed the questions raised, but have rejected the need to re-examine the issue for fear that it will polarise ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’. Further, this argument emphasises that ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’ as described in the article are contested terms and difficult to define. The third line is presented by international development practitioners outside Nepal, who have generally welcomed the debate. This article will discuss the first and second line of thinking, which if unanalysed will prove counter-productive to the larger debate surrounding the management of development INGOs.

The argument that expatriates have taken jobs away from Nepalis has proliferated out of ‘resource-scarce’ and ‘identity’ approaches. Limited capital and labour are taken by expatriate placements. True to a certain extent, this is a narrow argument in the present age of mass migration and globalisation when many Nepalis travel abroad to secure both jobs and capital.  But expatriates are typically in management positions at INGOs, enjoying high economic and social status, whereas Nepalis abroad usually toil at labour-intensive jobs for low wages. In recent years more and more Nepalis have started asserting their rights over INGO resources. Their sensitivity to these issues has been raised by social, ethnic and identity movements. 

Though the argument against expatriate employees at INGOs put forth by Nepali nationals has some logic, it is in direct collision with the spirit of the twenty first century world, a place of shrinking time, shrinking space and disappearing borders. In the “The expat factor”, I did not reject out right the need for expatriates in the management of INGOs. Rather I suggested that the literature currently available on NGO management has uncovered more negative impacts from their presence than positive ones. In the widely read book, Despite Good Intentions: Why development assistance to the third world has failed, Thomas W. Dichter questions the relevance of expatriates asking, “What is the cost in proportion to potential gain?”

The previous article further suggested the urgent need for informed debate and scientific enquiry in the Nepali on the role expatriates. The results of such research could inform future decisions. Perhaps it will be discovered that expatriates are the most effective hires for the management of INGOs; or the findings may indicate that expatriates are not needed at all. More likely, the results might suggest that expatriates are effective staff members, but not in a role of leading or controlling an organisation.

Dichter puts forth a moral argument, suggesting host country nationals are better suited to lead INGOs, but without seriously rigorous research, it would be hasty and unfounded to conclude that expatriates should not be allowed to work in development INGOs. Though as most INGOs supported social and ethnic movements, which ultimately led people to assert their rights over institutions operating on Nepali soil, expatriates should not be surprised if some Nepali nationals view them as ‘outsiders’ seizing local opportunities. Since 1990, INGOs have been one of the major forces empowering communities to realise their rights and claim ownership of local resources.  

The second line of thinking is led by expatriates working in Nepal who welcome the questions raised, but reject the need to re-examine the issue for fear that it could polarise ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’. This argument questions the insider/outsider debate as an insider in one context could be an outsider in another. The expatriate tendency to ignore the relevance of debate can be considered a ‘status-quo’ mindset. Expatriates may also be unwilling to enter debate that could lead to reform for fear of losing incentives attached to INGO structures and processes.

But the debate over the usefulness of expatriates is an important component of the evolution of development management. The world of INGOs today is undergoing a massive organisational restructuring throughout the globe.  The International NGO Training and Research Centre’s (INTRAC) newsletter published in January 2010 raised some fundamental questions on managing INGOs in the ever changing context. John Hailey, INTRAC co-founder and associate, suggests that INGOs should research and explore the role of expatriates, how cross-cultural factors impact management and the heightened concern for ethics and integrity in the post credit crunch.

Expatriates in Nepal are largely correct to stress that the concepts of ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’ are  fluid terms. This argument has been justified by Amartya Sen in his celebrated book Identity and Violence, in which he suggested the identity of an individual or community is not confined to group, ethnic, racial and communal lines. There are other variables in society that influence ‘identity’. Expatriates may not necessarily be outsiders given the extent of their socialisation in Nepal. But expats did not seem concerned with these thoughts when supporting ethnic and communal movements based on single variables of class, caste and ethnicity in the name of rights-based development. They have started realising the implications now that their legitimacy is up for debate. 

Criticisms contribute to debate and shape discourse. Healthy debate and criticism is vital for institutions  in transition. INGOs are currently exploring how various processes and structures affect their survival in the changed context. Expatriates working in Nepal need to realise that the issue of the usefulness of expatriates is a fundamental agenda item in the NGO Management discourse. The discourse is not aimed at polarisation, but towards best ensuring NGO legitimacy and efficiency.

sharmasumit77@gmail.com

Sameer studied NGO Management at the London School of Economics

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