Conflict, peacebuilding and NGO legitimacy: National NGOs in Sri Lanka

Walton, Oliver

Abstract

This paper explores the growing role of national NGOs in the interventions of western governments in conflict-affected
regions. Using three case studies of national NGOs working in Sri Lanka, it focuses on the complex relationships
between national NGOs, donors and a range of domestic stakeholders. These relationships involved competing demands, interests and expectations and were characterised by tensions, reversals and trade-offs. The paper argues that
although donors have increasingly favoured national NGOs in their peacebuilding interventions, these organisations have
been particularly vulnerable to crises of legitimacy. This tendency has disrupted NGO programmes and limited
the capacity for donors to meet stated objectives.

Citation

Walton, O. (2008). Conflict, peacebuilding and NGO legitimacy: National NGOs in Sri Lanka. Conflict, Security & Development, 8(1), 133-167. https://doi.org/10.1080/14678800801977146

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2008
• Deposit Date: Jul 16, 2009
• Journal: Conflict, Security and Development
• Print ISSN: 1467-8802
• Electronic ISSN: 1478-1174
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 133-167
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14678800801977146
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