Latest comments posted about Challenges for young people at China’s NGOs on ChinaDialogue en-gb http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/1802-Challenges-for-young-people-at-China-s-NGOs http://staging.chinadialogue.net/images/cdlogo.gif http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/1802-Challenges-for-young-people-at-China-s-NGOs At one time in Beijing, I worked at a local NGO for almost 7 years, the circumstances that this article describes are spot on, moreover, from the days I first joined the ngo until now, the situation has only gotten a little better, and has yet to make any substantial changes. More and more well educated young people are joining NGOs, and after the initial feeling of freshness and passion is gone, almost without exception, these people experience at least once an "NGO culture shock"-- maybe this is because economic pressures, maybe it's because up until that point they haven't experienced the outside world, it could also be because the prospects for development and growth in the industry are fuzzy, or that the organization is poorly managed, but also could be because in an average year one's mind gets exhausted from way too much negative info, and on and on. After bewilderment and a bunch of confusion, there are usually plenty of people who choose to leave. Perhaps the outside world will remember a few of the NGO stars, but very few actually will pay close attention to the plight of the worker. (Translated by Braden Latham-Jones.) Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:17:10 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-9368 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-9368 I don’t work for an NGO, but I follow the work of this sector with admiration, because humanity should develop of harmonious and collaboratively. This means that all inequality and unbalance should ultimately move towards equality, harmony and eventually integration. Ultimately, human beings pursue wealth and other material goods in order to make themselves feel safe. This means the mission of NGOs or the reason why NGOs exist is to achieve this objective using the best practices. If there were no NGOs, human society will still head towards a more harmonious and equal one in future. But the presence of NGOs means this process will definitely happen quicker. It is simply a question of how much you are able to see this or feel aware of it. This comment was translated by Emily Yajing Li. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:45:11 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-8776 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-8776 It makes me feel upset that public welfare is seen as gratuitous. This is most obvious in China. I think NGOs only exist in China to help keep the Chinese market economy within its bottom line, provide a level playing field for various vested groups and lower the asymmetry of informations. I am from SRI, a very young Chinese NGO whose members are people born in the 1980s with experience in business or in government jobs. I like to describe myself as a prudential idealist and admit that institution, strategy and step-by-step perseverance are necessary to materialize an ideal. From the perspective of outer conditions, the challenge we are facing now is: 1. a legitimate identity for NGO, not an existence registered for a non-profit company as most Chinese NGOs currently do. 2. governments withdraw from a present role as an omnipotent body. it is very clear that the fields NGOs are in are controled by the governments or the undertaking institutions under them. translated by Ming Li Sun, 15 Feb 2009 23:46:11 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-8338 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-8338 NGOs and Scientists should play more active role in China's environmental movement. Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:45:24 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-8337 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-8337 *By Doufu Gan* I hold an office at an NGO, so I quite agree with each point of view described below. Under life's pressures, many outstanding young people choose to leave, or at the very least choose to work for an international NGO (adequate funds and high status). Apart from life's pressures, this is also closely linked to society's lack of understanding towards NGOs. Apart from those few famous NGOs, we often need a very long time to describe the nature of our work. Moreover, we often do not get recognition, or are understood as being an "insignificant small enterprise". This creates a very strong feeling of lack of recognition among young people. NGO's own words often lack relevance to the real job, which makes many young people gradually lose "the will to fight"， enthusiasm and passion to contribute to society. Moreover, because NGO's have no direct method of imitating others, their own management and work advances really cautiously and slowly from start to finish, or the situation exists that "rule of man" is greater than rule of "legal systems and institutions" (here it refers to systems). Lacking equality and unity is a very natural thing. On the other hand, NGO managers often bury their heads in work but ignore their own ability to develop...young people need to expand their career, continue studying and need self-sustainable development (abundance of physical and mental rest and opportunities to communicate feelings to loved ones and friends). All these things are what a social person needs, but who can guarantee these reasonable appeals? At the same time as many hope that young people are "dedicated", they forget to give, and how then can they establish enduring relations on such a basis? Finally, we are overwhelmed by the pressure of English because there are very few opportunities in the country. I really hope the government, enterprises and society can establish consensus and collective development soon. This has advantages for everyone. (Comment translated by Ellen Schliebitz). Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:33:58 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-8071 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-8071 我不明白你在说什么。 本评论由Ming Li翻译 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:57:59 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-7949 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-7949 I have accepted a chance of interview in a NGO in Kunming. I am glad to see so much discussion about NGOs. I think this forum will help me make correct options to some extent. I am over 30 ages, but I still have a strong desire to work in a NGO, for I think NGOers will have a bright future in China after knowing of some knowledges about NGOs' activity in foreign countries, in relief of natural desasters. I am beyond the age of seeking exercise and experience from society, I just want to tell others that charity and helping other people are ordinary things to do, a part of our daily life. Maybe I am naive but I have the will. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:03:53 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-7706 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-7706 I worked with an international NGO focusing on criminal justice last year. However, I figured out lots of problems in its program running. It aims to seek the fairness for the indigent defendants all over the world. But it treats its hard-working and warm-hearted staff very unfairly. This year's working experience breaks all my dreams in life. Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:05:01 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-7650 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-7650 I HAVE BEEN RUNING NGO FOR EIGHT YEARYS NOW AND I KNOW WHAT THE CHALENGES AND DIFFICULTIES ARE, BUT I WILL ENCOURAGE EVERY ONE OF US TO KEEP AT IT,BECAUSE WE ARE THE BEAUTY OF THE HUMANITY.KEEP AT IT EVERY ONE.BECAUSE IT WHAT WE ALL HAVE PASSION FOR.JIDE TAIWO.FOUNDER OF .agefoundationng.org Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:09:19 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-7595 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-7595 After dropping out from university, I am still following my dreams, yet with an idealistically pessimistic attitude. It is a very hard experience but I feel very happy, because I know I am doing the things that I truly enjoy. All the things I have done, such as serving as a relief volunteer in Chengdu city, teaching in Yunnan Province, and having part-time jobs in Beijing, I have done in pursuit of my goal to work in an NGO. Fortunately, I finally got an internship opportunity. Looking back and pondering, I found a little satisfaction in searching for the value of life, but the suffering is intolerable. I have always thought, if I cannot earn a living in this city, then what shall I do? Wed, 28 May 2008 22:55:50 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-7441 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1802#comment-7441