Eleven international NGOs have signed up to a new accountability charter, which says
We recognise that transparency and accountability are essential to good governance,whether by governments, businesses or non-profit organisations. Wherever we operate, we seek to ensure that the high standards which we demand of others are also respected in our own organisations… We agree to apply the Charter progressively to all our policies, activities and operations.
It’s a positive first step. As I explained in an earlier post, NGOs have previously failed to live up to the high standards that they rightly demand of others. But it still doesn’t go far enough.