Nongovernmental Organizations of South East Asia

The guiding questions of this class are: What is the role of nongovernment organizations in providing services and shaping policy abroad? How do these organizations emerge and evolve over time? What is the relationship between “western” funders and NGOs active in developing nations? How does charity and volunteerism differ in South East Asia? What are differences in the NGO sectors in Thailand and Cambodia?

We will be exploring these questions as we visit NGOs and meet with leaders in four cities in Cambodia and Thailand. Students will also conduct in-depth analyses of the groups we will be meeting with during our trip, leading to a better understanding of the challenges facing NGOs in the developing world, and the role of local, national and international actors in supporting economic development, health care, education, and human rights work.