ANTH 320/DEVS 321 People and Development

Group work activity (part of Group work/Small assignments mark)

Taking into account the situations described by Wedel and Crewe, think about the following scenario.
    A donor agency (e.g. Wib and Frosty, from our hypothetical cast of characters) has experienced a scandal like that uncovered by Wedel. Wib and Frosty want to avoid a future such scandal. Their agencies (the World Bank and Canpoo in the hypothetical description), have an aid priority to improve Poorland’s involvement in international markets, especially wormite for which there is a booming demand. They provide funds to transnational NGOs who work with local NGO partners to carry out projects.
    Verde works for Dogood, a transnational NGO interested in environmental sustainability. They have a partnership with Poorgood, for which Arriba works. There is concern about the environmental impact of wormite mining, which has tended to harm agriculture, whether this is subsistence agriculture or commercial tuttle farming. At the same time, without funds, neither Dogood nor Poorgood can operate, meaning that the organizations cannot accomplish anything and Verde and Arriba don’t get paid.

Wib/Frosty:
Do you insist on onerous accountability procedures, applying strict and consistent internationally established reporting mechanisms, from Dogood? Do you insist on ensuring that wormite mines proceed since they will provide the biggest economic impact?

Verde/Arriba:
Do you seek funding from WB/Canpoo? If so, how do you try to manage the reporting mechanisms? Do you try to convince WB/Canpoo that there is an international market for organic tuttle that is worth preserving, even if this means not going ahead with the lucrative wormite mine?

Task:
Form groups of between four and six. Half of you will take the role of Wib/Frosty, and half will take the role of Verde/Arriba. First, discuss among your role colleagues what your position will be and why. That is, the Wib/Frostys will talk among themselves and the Verde/Arribas will talk among themselves. Then, negotiate with your counterparts.

Write everyone’s first and last names on a piece of paper. Briefly describe what the issues were and what each group individually and together decided.