Concern Worldwide CEO Tom Arnold addresses the changing role of International NGOs in developing world at TCD Lecture

Posted on: 08 March 2006

‘Develop a Global Partnership for Development’
Goal 8: UN Millennium Development Goals

In a lecture entitled ‘What International NGOs Can Do’ Mr Tom Arnold, CEO of Concern Worldwide, will discuss the changing role played by international NGOs such as Concern Worldwide in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
Taking place on Wednesday 8 March, this is the third lecture in the TCD Millennium Development Goals annual lecture series organized by the Department of Economics in association with the Institute for International Integration Studies.

Spending over €100 million, employing over 4,000 staff, and operating in 32 developing countries across the globe, Concern Worldwide has the capacity and resources to assist with the realization of the Millennium Development Goals. While international NGOs have, at times, been subject to trenchant criticism of their dependence on governments; profligate spending; and accountability deficit, Tom Arnold will highlight the distinct approach of Concern Worldwide as an instrument of change in the developing world.

Mr. Arnold will point to the ability of International NGOs to act as advocates on behalf of communities in the developing world as well as the role Concern Worldwide has performed fostering innovative practices that stress community-based approaches to development. Mr. Arnold, as CEO of Ireland’s largest humanitarian organisation, will also outline future strategies for development with a sharpened emphasis on the potentialities open to International NGOs to act as facilitators between local grass-roots organisations, research bodies and international bodies.

The Trinity MDG public lecture series runs throughout the college academic year to promote awareness of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by looking at these key issues that developing countries face today. Speakers with a wide range of backgrounds and different views are invited to speak on themes related to MDGs.