Category: International Organizations

Introduction

The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental body that promotes international cooperation. It replaced the League of Nations, the organisation that had been in existence before the UN. At the time of its foundation in 1945, the organisation had 51 members. Currently, it has 193 members, with membership across all the continents. The main offices of the organisation are located in Manhattan, New York. Other main offices are found in Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi. The UN is financed through voluntary contributions by member states. Its main objectives involve maintaining international peace, promoting the rights of people, and fostering economic and social development. Regarding economic development, the UN has had many accomplishments.

From the time it was formed, the organisation has dedicated its efforts to assisting nations and people to attain economic prosperity. A notable achievement was made when it assisted the Japanese people to rebuild their country after the devastation of the Second World War. Many more achievements have been accomplished with the assistance of specialised agencies. Some notably specialised agencies include the UNEP, the UNICEF, the UNESCO, the World Bank, the WHO, and the UNHAS among others. This paper will discuss the various achievements that the UN has accomplished through its many agencies to stand out as the most successful international organisation in the world.

Achievements of the UN

Every year, people come together to celebrate the United Nations day, an effort to appreciate the remarkable journey that the organisation has travelled. On this day, people celebrate the UN for perpetuating democracy, fostering peace, and combating hunger, among other achievements. However, it is important to observe that the organisation has also often come under criticism on certain occasions (Hatcher & Perry, 2012).

Critics accuse the organisation of failing to take decisive actions when occasions demand them. Nevertheless, most people will agree that the UN has made accomplishments that are worth recognising in the seven decades it has been in existence. This part delves into UNs accomplishments, either independently or with the assistance of its specialised agencies, and other key organisations, including international airlines.

Combating Diseases

The world health organisation (WHO) is the specialised organs of the UN responsible for promoting world health. One of the most notable achievements of this agency was the eradication of smallpox. After leading a global campaign that spanned thirteen years, the WHO was finally able to eliminate the threat of smallpox from the world. This milestone required colossal funds and huge efforts to achieve. Breman (2016) recounts the efforts of Donald Ainslie Henderson, the scientist who spearheaded the campaign to exterminate smallpox.

To fully appreciate the extent of this success, it is important to understand how much of threat smallpox was at the time. In the mid-1960s, the disease was extremely rampant across 31 nations in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Brazil. The vaccines available at the time were simply ineffective. Globally, 10-15 million cases of infection were being recorded annually, a third of them ending up in death. It was in this air of dire desolation that the WHO made the resolve to eradicate this menace.

Smallpox is one of the many diseases that the WHO has engaged in combat. Long before HIV/AIDS was declared an epidemic by most nations, the agency was already dedicated to fighting its spread. The statistics of AIDS are startling. From when the epidemic was first discovered, over 78 million people have become infected while half of them have died since then (FACTS, 2015). Hence, AIDS is one of the leading causes of death in the world. The WHO has remained at the forefront in attempting to curb the rate of infection of the disease.

According to the WHO (2005), of the 37 million people believed to be living with the virus, 19 million are unaware of their positive status. The organisation has since launched the Global Fund to support victims with treatment, as well as to minimise the spread of the virus. These efforts have borne fruits. In 2005, the organisation observed that the rate of infection had reduced over the course of several years (WHO, 2005). In the United States alone, the number of people living with the disease has fallen to 19% between 2005 and 2014 (FACTS, 2015).

Fighting diseases has economic benefits for the world. As diseases become less threatening, governments can dedicate national funds to health to other projects. Health costs are responsible for inflating the budget of many countries. For instance, in the US, 18% of the national budget is dedicated to health annually (Sisko et al., 2014).

This move may have the effect of taking away funds from other sectors, such as education. Disease-related research is very costly. Therefore, WHOs efforts to eradicate diseases help countries to focus on improving the standards of living of their citizens. Additionally, the elimination of diseases leads to healthy lives. For instance, recent research has shown that the life expectancy of people has risen compared to a century ago (Salomon et al., 2013).

Promoting Sustainability

The campaigns revolving around environmental protection and sustainability have increased in recent times. This situation is evident in the wake of acute climate change, with catastrophes such as hurricanes, tsunamis, and prolonged droughts plaguing the world. Many people are turning around to appreciate that climate change is not a myth, as suggested in certain quarters (Jacobson, 2016).

The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) is the UN agency responsible for protecting the environment through measures aimed at promoting sustainability. In 1987, the UNEP sponsored a conference that would deliberate on ways to minimise the depletion of the ozone layer. Five years later, the group of 24 nations came up with the Montreal Treaty. The Montreal Treaty was an agreement among the concerned nations to take measures to reduce the emission of gasses (CFCs) that posed a threat to the ozone layer. This accord is lauded as one of the most successful outcomes of UNEPs endeavours to protect the environment.

UNEPs mandate extends over a wide scope to cover issues of the atmosphere, land ecosystems, green economy, and environmental governance. Additionally, this body has funded research that is geared toward identifying new ways of fostering sustainability. Through the UNEP, many governments are gradually adopting green laws.

The trickle-down effect has also seen large business organisations adopt similar policies, partly to conform to the law, and partly to attract customers who take climate change seriously. For, instance, Whirlpool Corporation (WC) launched a green supply network to conform to the changing legal framework in the US (Elrod, Murray, & Bande, 2013). The UNEP assists WC in formulating guidelines and agreements on aspects of the environment in the field of international trade.

In 2015, the organisation spearheaded successful efforts to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aimed at making sustainability more achievable within the reasonable future (UNEP, 2016). Together with the Paris Agreement, these frameworks are expected to encourage the cooperation of stakeholders [nations] in renewed efforts to redeem the environment. Additionally, the UNEP has dedicated its efforts to assisting nations to create their climatic pledges while availing funds to back the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (UNEP, 2016). Africa has often been viewed as the ideal stage for launching the renewable energy platform on a large scale.

The World Bank: Funding Developing Nations

The World Bank is perhaps the face of the UN in promoting economic development across the world. The institution is an entity within the World Bank Group, an agency of the United Nations. The World Bank is an international institution that supports the growth of developing nations by extending funds. The institutions primary goal is poverty reduction (UNICEF, 2014).

Notwithstanding, this goal is promoted through foreign investment, international trade, and capital investment. By lending struggling countries with the much-needed funds, the World Bank hopes to aid them to attain global standards regarding economic development. In turn, this plan would translate into better standards of living for the citizens of these nations.

The World Bank cites increased membership as one of its major achievements. At the time of its creation, the membership was only 68, although it had grown to 151 member states by 1988. The increased membership means that the institutions scope is felt within a large geographical region, facilitating effective adoption of poverty reduction policies. Additionally, the banks subscribed capital has expanded with the increased membership from the initial $10, 000 million in 1960 to $263 billion as at June 2016 (The World Bank, 2016.). With the increased capital, the bank can expand the scope of its lending in amount and the number of beneficiary nations. Despite challenges such as corruption and embezzlement of funds, the banks influence has reached the remotest parts of the world.

The World Bank has assisted many struggling nations to achieve social development. Bangladesh is one of the chief beneficiaries of the World Banks funding. The South Asian nation has utilised the funds to improve the countrys infrastructure to impeccable standards. According to Mahmud, Asadullah, and Savoia (2013), Bangladeshs tarmac density, matches that of the United Kingdom when calculated in length per unit area.

Additionally, poverty eradication programmes launched with the help of the World Bank have succeeded in the country. Child mortality has been reduced through low-cost interventions funded by the global bank. Overall, the countys economy has grown by 6%, with human development matching economic growth. This transformation witnessed in Bangladesh is evidence that the World Bank has been successful in its core mission of reducing poverty in the world.

Other key agencies of the UN are the World Food Programme (WFP), UNESCO, and the UNICEF. The WFP is dedicated to eliminating hunger and famine throughout the world. It is the largest humanitarian agency that fights hunger. According to WFP (2010), the organisation afforded over 80 million people across 75 countries with food aid. Additionally, the organisation curbed under nutrition for 7.2 million children under the age of 5 years (WFP, 2010).

Importantly, 90 percent of the projects dedicated to reducing acute levels of malnutrition emerged successfully. The UNICEF is dedicated to promoting the development of children and mothers across the world. Women and children are commonly referred to as vulnerable groups that require extra assistance. It originated in the post-world war climate of 1946. Many children and women in war-devastated countries required immediate assistance regarding food and healthcare. WFP was formed to meet the needs of these groups of vulnerable people.

The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS)

The UNHAS is cited as the largest humanitarian airline globally. It boasts of a fleet of more than 70 chartered aircraft. The World Food Programme (WFP) coordinates the administrative functions. Aid workers use the body when reaching remote locations. Disasters make communities lack the necessities of life. It is for this reason that the UN established the airline services to provide humanitarian aid to people in crisis. About 80% of World Food Programmes core objectives are the activities of UNHAS (Morrell, 2011).

It has been lauded for its effort of exercising equality when providing humanitarian assistance. Despite the security risks that may accompany a rescue operation, the UNHAS has been steadfast in accessing the most challenging and remote locations. The countries that get assistance from UNHAS include Niger, Kenya, Sudan, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Yemen among others (World Food Programme, 2011). The mission for the UNHAS is to provide access to remote and risky destinations that other airlines do not go.

In times of crisis, road transport is always a risky affair. At such times, the UNHAS organises airlifts whereby life-saving services are availed within 48 hours (Morrell, 2011). Cargo airlifts focus on both food and non-food commodities. In severely remote locations, it drops aid cargoes at designated drop zones. This move is an example of a fast and targeted response to specific locations. The airlines take concern of the passengers safety by employing qualified personnel to operate the aircraft. The air operations fulfil the standards set by the United Nations Aviation Safety Standards (UNAVSTADs) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The logistics division at the WFP headquarters provides administrative and managerial support to the airline services. The services range from air safety and contract clearance.

The Aviation Safety Unit (ASU) was established under the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Its objective was to manage the safety risks that accompany the expansion of operations. The ASU exercises an oversight function, thus reducing the number of risks encountered by the UNHAS. Through collaboration with diplomats and donors, the UNHAS was fast in its response to the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa. In 2015, a record of 62,500 metric tons of cargo was airlifted to disaster-stricken areas (World Food Programme, 2011). Most of the places served by the UNHAS are not connected to commercial airlines. For this reason, the UNHAS continues receiving appreciation for its efforts to provide relief to such areas.

Conclusion

The UN was formed in the aftermath of the World War II to prevent the world from degenerating into another world war. The organisation promotes international cooperation via bringing many nations together. Through its many specialised agencies, the UN has made accomplishments in diverse areas. The WHO has succeeded in eradicating diseases such as smallpox.

The UNEP for its part seeks to protect the environment by endorsing guidelines that foster sustainability. The agency was responsible for the formulation of the Montreal Treaty to minimise the exhaustion of the ozone layer. The UNHAS has been declared the ultimate solution to offering humanitarian services in remote locations. Road transport can be unpredictable at times, especially where catastrophes have destroyed infrastructure. Through the services of UNHAS, the UN can airlift aid to remote locations to save lives.

Reference List

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Jacobson, L. (2016). Yes, Donald Trump did call climate change a Chinese hoax

Mahmud, W., Asadullah, M. N., & Savoia, A. (2013). Bangladeshs achievements in social development indicators: explaining the puzzle. Economic & Political Weekly, 58(44), 26-28.

Morrell, P. S. (2011). The air cargo industry. Air Transport in the 21st Century: Key Strategic Developments.Ashgate Publishing, Farnham, UK, 1(1), 235-251.

Salomon, J. A., Wang, H., Freeman, M. K., Vos, T., Flaxman, A. D., Lopez, A. D., & Murray, C. J. (2013). Healthy life expectancy for 187 countries, 19902010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden Disease Study 2010. The Lancet, 380(9859), 2144-2162.

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UNEP. (2016). UNEP launches annual report 2015, highlighting major achievements in support of sustainable future.

UNICEF. (2014). Trends in maternal mortality: 1990 to 2013: estimates by WHO. Geneva, Switzerland: The World Bank and the United Nations Population Division.

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WHO. (2005). HIV infection rates decreasing in several countries but global number of people living with HIV continues to rise. Web.

World Food Programme. (2011). Aviation | WFP | United Nations World Food Programme  Fighting Hunger Worldwide.

Introduction

Official Development Assistance (ODA) is especially vital for developing countries of the world. It is a statistic for measuring aid. This is regulated by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC). The loans and grants considered with ODA are proposed: a) to the official sector; b) to improve the economic welfare of a country; c) at concessional financial terms (ODA Korea 1). The role of this international formation is to have more opportunities for struggling against negative economic and social features. One of them is the struggle against poverty in developing countries, mostly those of Africa. The mission of DAC is to provide forums among member countries as of development, aid, and poverty decrease in developing countries. DAC list of donor countries includes 24 countries at the moment (OECD1 1). Some among them are: the US, the UK, Sweden, Spain, Japan, and, occasionally, South Korea. The World Bank, the IMF and UNDP also take an active part in worlds stabilization process by OECD.

Problem statement

The sphere of the international relations in case of stabilization of worlds peaceful situation props up against ODA in many points. Its influence on developing countries is grateful. On the other side the expenditures of developed countries are increasing. Thus, in 2004 it amounted to USD 78.6 billion (OECD1 1). Since that time the contributions began growing straightforwardly with the increase of new members in a DAC list. Korea successfully inherited the spirit of international cooperation (Lee 1). In this respect the country develops on its ODA participation for Asian and other countries of the world. Thus, being a non-DAC country, Korea increased ODA expenditures from $57.48 million in 1991 to $159 million in 1996 and $423.3 million by 2004 (OECD4 6.1). The ODA by Korea is significant for DAC in terms of international support and cooperation since the beginning of membership in November 25, 2009 (OECD2 1).

Purpose of the research

South Korea has already treaded to a new stage of international relations. DAC anchors its hopes on this country and gives new objectives for its ODA participation. The observers look at the economical growth of Korea and state that the country has all chances for working out all challenges from the side of OECD/DAC.

The purpose of the research paper is to designate the points for Korean advantages and, particularly, limitations among donor countries. Korea needs to work out particular effective policy guideline for ODA. Furthermore it considers the relevance in ODA projects between Korea and Japan.

Research questions

The main questions of the research presuppose, first, the role of Korea in ODA projects. Second, this study concerns Korea-Japan collaboration and constructiveness in terms of ODA. Third, it elaborates on the current contributions of Korea to ODA and its perspectives in the short and in the long run. Finally, the research describes optimal ways for the analysis of the issue.

Methodology

The basic motivation for the research presupposes current stage in development of Korea. The plan for it is constructed on the basis of previous and current studies. As a result, an observer can outline how the perspectives of the Korean government have been successfully materialized at present. The sphere of international relationships cannot, but omit such a great partner, as Korea. At least, in the East-Asian region this country is among most successful in providing ODA. Thus, the neoclassical theory of world economic relations and their improvements is included for the determination of predicted and found results.

The population for the research props up against the academic background of observers. Here the relation of them to international relations and economic studies is needful. For better understanding of the current developmental initiatives of Korea there are several charts and diagrams. These help to delineate comparative analysis of Korean economic and financial sustainability to pretend for a dominant position in the world. The research sample is structured, so that a reader could be able to get involved into the sphere of Korean external relations. The sample was chosen in terms of historical and statistical analyses. This plays a major role for making it clear and comprehensive for each observer. The instrumentation for the research consists of surveys by different authors. They were selected from different sources: journal articles and official reports from official web pages of OECD and ODA Korea. Other materials were collected from books and reviews.

Literature Review

In World development indicators it is reported that the financial aid of developed countries is increasing with each year. The thing is that the number of donors grows with one or two new countries in the DAC list. However, the aid for developing countries increases dramatically with each year. The strategy of the developed countries stands on suggesting of concessional conditions for recipient countries. Thus, at least 25 per cent are required for making a deal among ODA recipients reduced to 10 per cent. By this there is a theoretical approach to decrease poverty and levels of instability in the world. The report provides information as of ratio of ODA to GNI, not GNP. It is so since 1993 United Nations System of National Accounts (World Bank et al 6.1). Thus, new DAC members should make the ODA-GNI ratio not less than the average reading of 0.28% (World Bank et al 6.1).

The article Determinants of Koreas Official Development Assistance (ODA) Allocation by Lee et al continues on the Korean issue as of ODA. The thing is that Korean status for foreign aid considers building plants for energy resource extraction (Lee et al 3). Moreover, one of the intentions of the country is to make up aid contributions aligned to 0.7% of GNI. For this purpose Korea emphasizes on the export rates to the recipient countries. The authors provide a prediction for Korean development, as a DAC member under OECD, for the next 3 years. Hence, ODA-GNI is predicted to grow 0.026% a year, because of the annual GNI growth of 5% (Lee et al 6). Thus, there is a basis for Korea to join the ranks of developed countries. All in all, Korea actively distributes grants among worlds countries. The major part of them comprises Asian, Middle East and African countries. The variable of Korean loans to different countries has also increased for the previous 5 years. Korea also succeeded in extending the export market and in securing national interests by means of international unions and alliances. This along with international economic and political dynamics gives all grounds for the country to improve on its performance in the world arena. The scope of analysis by Lee et all encompasses also determinants of Koreas ODA allocation and its comparison to Japanese ODA. It is outlined in the study that Japan imports raw materials and uses ODA for securing its resources. Thus, energy production is not a standpoint for Korea in contrast to Japan.

The report of OECD DAC Chair Richard Manning develops ideas about the eligibility of Korea to become DAC member. The point is that, for instance, in 2004 Korean ODA expenditures equaled to $423 million (Manning 3). It is even higher than some current DAC members. In this respect there is a background for Korea to insist on its right to join DAC membership under OECD conventions. Moreover, at that time Korea announced another strategically vital plan to increase ODA up to $1 billion by 2010 (Manning 3). In fact, the countrys GNI is growing per capita and in terms of import-export relations. The export sector holds an extra significant place in the Korean plan for ODA participation. Doubling current ODA reading is a serious challenge for DAC. It considers that those countries that are intended to join the committee soon are really ambitious and rational in their plans. Korea is a great example in this respect. Along with Poland, Turkey and other non-DAC countries of the world Korea shows stability in economical growth and international cooperation.

Kazuo Sunaga in the article The Reshaping of Japans Official Development Assistance (ODA) Charter also designates the phenomenon of East-Asian success. Korea is reported here to be a great donor, notwithstanding its non-DAC position. Just as other East-Asian countries Korea succeeded in making more emphasis on the donor aid toward other least developed countries (LDC) of the world. Thus, it is vital to state on the Japanese economic wonder, as an approach for Koreas future programs under pressure of DAC. The author also dwells on the export direction in economic development of Korea, as a guarantee to become an eligible member of DAC.

Fortunately, Korea is a member of DAC. However, it has a little experience of participation as part of this international formation. On the other hand, the official sector of the country has a great experience in provision of transactions with recipient countries (OECD3 3). In this respect it is better for Korea to follow the example of most successful and powerful donors, namely: Sweden, Norway or Denmark. The major goal for Korea asserted by DAC is to take an active part in working out financial and other mechanisms for the poverty reduction (ODA Korea 1). In this direction the country makes great efforts in delineating social and political responses in both domestic and external dimensions.

One more report of OECD claims for the strategic interest of this organization about Korea. It is so because this country has an approximately two-decade experience in providing ODA. Moreover, owing to the initiatives of the government the Economic Development Co-operation Fund (EDCF) and the Korea Official International Co-operation Agency (KOICA) were established in 1987 and 1991 respectively (OECD4 6.1). This is a strong stimulus for most significant international organizations searching for new members. Of course, Korea can manage to succeed in the external relations, if only its internal situation is stable. In this respect Korea encounters today greater challenges as of further development under OECD and DAC.

Notwithstanding several political and economical collapses in the East Asia, it did not hurt the relations between Japan and South Korea (Matray 96). This objective is trustworthy and relates to the peace building process in the region by both countries. Thus the main goal to reduce poverty can be reached due to sufficient ODA programs by Korea, Japan and, supposedly, China. Japans economic links and the consultations with Nordic countries as of ODA optimal projects would be helpful for Korea at the time of its first steps in the field of participation under OECD/DAC (Hook 194). The examples of the largest ODA donor in the East Asia and the largest donors in Europe should remain prior for Korea at the moment. Constructing its policy guideline properly, the country may reduce the burden of mandatory requirements under DAC. The rationale of the country should stand on collaboration with other donor countries.

Shedding all political controversies as for Cold War identity and becoming a free-market democracy, Korea could have a possibility of an elite OECD member (Kim 225). Hence, Korean role in the process of globalization in most points relates to its ODA sustainability, as a donor. It is necessary to admit here that the country promotes loans for almost all countries in the East Asia. It fairly pretends on the dominant position.

Turning back to the discussion of stability in the internal relations, it is vital to admit that Korea, as a newly emerged donor country, should keep a strict eye on this factor. The thing is that multiple researches showed that donor countries with more improvements and positive reformation of various institutions grow rich (Ovaska 1). This objective is considered by the Korean government. However, still the country needs to rely on most efficient ways for making progress in ODA. World peace and mutual prosperity are stated for Korea among the paramount goals (ODA Korea 1). This objective is straightforward for providing decent life of people worldwide. It is not surprising that for the Koreas ODA Basic Policy Document this point stands first. Under the pressure of the World Community to provide larger volumes of the international development assistance Korea stands firm (Lee 1). It appeared to solve several problems. One of them is to provide rationality in appropriate strategies and instrumentation for driving ODA among, for instance, East-Asian LDCs.

Uniqueness

Due to the fact that the research encompasses different viewpoints of experts, it can be stated that it is rich in content. Hence, an observer should bear in mind that here the content validity is used. Different ideas are fixed in the sample to make emphasis on their holistic nature and mutuality according to the theme as well. This measure identifies the features of the content that are common regarding to the whole scope of reliable studies.

Objectiveness

The reliability of the research props up against the internal consistency in it. In other words, there is a scale of variables that need analysis. Looking through them, an observer finds out relevant feedback about the issue. Most of the points are directly structured in order to answer essential questions stated in the beginning. Moreover, the trustworthiness of the studies observed is incontestable. To say more, references of some sources are repeated in other used materials. There is a case of overlapping of ideas related to the subject matter in the paper.

The limitations of the research, first, refer to the fact that there are less up-to-date materials on the significance of this study. Moreover, the problem of Korea is less studied at the modern period of time, unless mentioning native authors. This problem needs more authoritative opinions. Thus, the bibliography should be extended respectively.

Significance of the study

The research showed that Korea is really competitive for reaching the top positions in Asian market. Its economy is built up on more export regulations with worlds countries. Moreover, Korean economy has enough power to provide more loans for LDCs. In this respect DAC supposes to get the achievement of $1 billion ODA aid from Korea. On the current stage the country resolves this objective by means of implementation of new plants for energy resource extraction. Different sectors of Korean economy intend this country to make huge intakes into the social and economical stability of countries worldwide. Nowadays this country leaves its privileged spheres for the international cooperation not one jot or little.

Thus, Korea is a newly emerged member of DAC under the previous conventions by OECD. Its current relations with Japan solely help this country to involve more investments and their destination for the ODA projects. The future of Korea among donor countries is to increase its ODA-GNI ratio up to the readings of the Nordic countries being major donor power in DAC.

The statistical data collected during the research are organized in the form of charts and diagrams that can show the progress or evolution of Korea on the pathway to the effective international collaboration. This is supported by the respectful notes of experts in this field. The first diagram depicts Koreas ratio of aid to LDCs in terms of time frame of 1991-2007. A special attention should be grabbed here on the variables of Bilateral ODA total and Loans. It is seen that on the current stage the country moves toward consistent and proved performance in the region.

This diagram can be supported by means of the following chart. It shows the reliability of Koreas ambitions as for increasing its performance among donor countries. One should highlight the current growth of all mentioned readings in accordance with real situation on countrys development.

Information on the statistics provided in the research is really extended. It is so, because the significance of ODA programs is among prior for the government of Korea and for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Korea, particularly. The information about the regional distribution outlined in the research can be comprehended in the next figure:

Thus, all data state the reliability of Koreas partnership for DAC. Its role acquires more significance for regulations in the East Asia along with Japan and China.

Conclusions and Recommendations

To sum up, the research paper considers the scope of issues as of Korean participation in ODA projects under DAC and OECD. Since the beginning of membership in November 25, 2009 Korea confronted some challenges. They are concerned with the rates of GNI and ODA planned and realized at the time. Making ODA-GNI ratio total to 0.7% the country can successfully complete its obligations before DAC. The findings in the research support the idea of Koreas soon successes in ODA programs for LDCs. It is stated on the statistics provided.

The recommendations for this study suppose the continuation of researching the problem of Korean relations with European countries. In this respect the further bibliographies should include data on the cooperation of South Korea with the Nordic countries (Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark). More attention should be grabbed on the experience of these countries that counts more than three decades of participation.

Works cited

Hook, Glenn D. Japans international relations: politics, economics, and security. London: Routledge, 2001.

Kim, Samuel S. Koreas globalization. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000.

Lee, Doo Won, Kim, Kyu Won & Shim, Hyun Seok. Determinants of Koreas Official Development Assistance (ODA) Allocation. School of Economics. Seoul: Yonsei University. Web.

Lee, Ho-Chul. Koreas Efforts in Official Development Assistance. ERI Working paper 54 (1997): 1-30.

Manning, Richard. Will Emerging Donors Change the Face of International Cooperation? OECD/DAC, 2006. Web.

Matray, James Irving. Japans emergence as a global power. Stamford, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2001.

OECD1. Official Development Assistance increases further  but 2006 targets still a challenge. 2006. Web.

OECD2. OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) welcomes Korean membership. 2009. Web.

OECD3. Is it ODA? Factsheet. (2008): 1-4. Web.

OECD4. Environmental Performance Reviews Korea. Paris: OECD Publishing, 2006.

ODA Korea. Philosophy. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Republic of Korea, 2009. Web.

Ovaska, Tomi. The Failure of Development Aid. The Cato Journal 23 (2003): 131-142.

Sunaga, Kazuo. The Reshaping of Japans Official Development Assistance (ODA) Charter. FASID Discussion Paper on Development Assistance 3. (2004): 1-35. Web.

World Bank and International Economics Dept. Development Data Group. World development indicators. Washington DC: World Bank Publications, 2006.

Abstract

The paper describes the activities of World Vision International is an international development and non-governmental organization in the context of the cooperation between globalization, individual cultures, and such organizations. The paper aims to discuss the effects of the organizations activities on individual cultures and evaluate the effectiveness of the organizations work in addressing the needs and interests of the population that is aimed to be served by World Vision International. Although World Vision International is focused on supporting the poor populations globally, the activities of this organization are often criticized because of direct references to the Christian and Western ideologies.

Keywords: globalization, non-governmental organization (NGO), World Vision International, culture

The role of development organizations in providing the necessary aid for countries and populations in need is significant. Nowadays, international non-governmental organizations support populations in many countries in terms of economic and social development. In this context, it is possible to speak about the connection between globalization, the countrys social and cultural development, and the influence of non-governmental organizations. World Vision International is among the most influential international development organizations that contribute to social progress globally. In spite of the fact that World Vision International has the mission of supporting underdeveloped societies globally, and especially children in these societies, the activities, and aid of this organization are grounded on the Christian ideology and values that can be discussed as affecting the countries cultures.

The History of World Vision International

World Vision was established in the United States in 1950. The founder of the national organization was Robert Pierce. It is important to note that World Vision was established as the Evangelical development organization supporting missionaries and providing charitable assistance in the country (World Vision International, 2015). World Vision International was founded in the 1970s when Walter Stanley Mooneyham opened the offices of the organization in other countries. The main focus was on the promotion of the Christian ideology worldwide and on supporting poor families and children in them (Yuen, 2008, p. 41).

Today, World Vision International has its offices in the Latin American, European, and Asian countries, and it operates in the African countries supporting children who suffer from diseases, poverty, anti-sanitarian conditions, and civil wars. The organization also provides emergency aid, develops nutrition and water projects, and supports environmental initiatives (World Vision International, 2015). The main source of the organizations funding is sponsorship and donations. Having a worldwide chain of offices and developing global charity projects, World Vision International receives significant donations to support the programs annually (Yuen, 2008, p. 42). In addition to the traditional donations, there is also a program of child sponsorship, according to which individual donors provide financial aid for children and communities in developing countries.

The Role of World Vision International in Supporting the Countries Cultures

It is important to state that the role of World Vision International in maintaining the specific cultures of countries where the organization operates is a matter of debate. On the one hand, World Vision International programs are oriented to using the resources of communities to make them stronger. In the context of such programs, the organizations representatives educate the community members, work to maintain the health care services with the focus on the local resources and donors assistance, develop farm and water projects, and realize the family projects. As a result, the organization also works to support societies suffering from the consequences of civil wars and poverty (Murphy, 2013, p. 3).

On the other hand, World Vision International promotes the evangelical activities according to the organizations vision and mission. As a result, the opponents of the organization point at the attempts of World Vision International to impose the Christian ideology on the population in developing countries, as it was typical for the traditional missionary organizations (Yuen, 2008, p. 45). In this context, the critics of the organizations activities can state that the impact of World Vision International on the individual culture of countries where the organization operates is significant, and it can be rather controversial in terms of the issue of imposing the Christian values.

However, it is important to pay attention to the fact that World Vision International is focused on finding the balance between the provision of the aid and the actual evangelical activities. The representatives of World Vision International do not focus on the forbidden proselytism, but they explain the role of the Christian ideology in the development of the vision according to which poor people need to be supported (World Vision International, 2015). The activities of World Vision International are also criticized when their orientation to the development of communities based on the Christian traditions is not correlated with the local cultures, especially in the African countries.

The child sponsorship program is also not relevant for all communities and cultures. Thus, Yuen (2008) states in her work that activities of World Vision International in Zimbabwe are often accompanied with a sense of confusion because the local religious and political scene is not compatible with the concepts of sponsorship and many Zimbabweans follow a religion of ancestral worship whereby the spirits of ancestors protects a family (p. 48). In this context, such organizations as World Vision International can be discussed as following the appropriate visions and values based on their ideologies, including the Christian one.

However, the problem is in the ineffective connection of the globalization trends, the Christian principles, the idea of sponsorship, and the individual cultures in the specific context. The specifics of the local cultures should be addressed in spite of the context of globalization (Wibbeke, 2013). From this point, it is reasonable for World Vision International to put an emphasis on the local cultures while providing the economic and social aid and adapt the missionary and support activities to the populations needs and visions.

Effectiveness of World Vision International in Addressing the Targeted Populations Needs

According to World Vision Internationals objectives and mission, the target populations of the organization are families and children from the poor regions of the world. World Vision International is oriented to providing the support for the underprivileged communities, and the main focus is on children who participate in the Christian sponsorship projects. Since the 1970s, the organization realized a variety of the charity projects in the African countries. The emergency assistance, education programs, farm projects, and child sponsorship projects were successfully realized in Somalia, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Nepal among other countries (World Vision International, 2015). In spite of the fact that World Vision International is mostly known for the development of the child sponsorship and education projects, the organization is also effective in providing the emergency aid for the poorest population in the world and for the societies suffering from the environmental disasters (Smith, 2012, p. 358). From this point, the emergency and humanitarian aid provided by World Vision International is often discussed as effective.

However, there are still controversies regarding the discussion of the child and family sponsorship programs that are actively supported by the Western people, but viewed as inappropriate by the local communities, which culture differs significantly from the Western culture oriented to the capitalist relationships. Still, the majority of the health care, education, nutrition, and environmental projects implemented by World Vision International are viewed as efficient to support the populations in need (Bryant, 2009, p. 1542). As a result, it is possible to state that World Vision International achieved the significant results in addressing the needs of the poor children and communities worldwide, and especially in the African countries.

Conclusion

World Vision International is one of the leading non-governmental development organizations in the world. However, in spite of the reputation, the activities of the organization are often criticized by the opponents who point at the Christian ideology, on which the organization is grounded, and to the ideas of sponsorship that reflect the principles of the Western capitalist ideology. Even though the organization develops the effective projects to support the poor communities in the world socially and economically, promote the health care, and education in them, there is the evidence that the Christian ideology and the idea of sponsorship are not actively supported in all societies where World Vision International proposes its aid. As a result, it is possible to speak about the impossibility to guarantee the effective connection of the principles of globalization, international aid, and individual culture in all contexts. Nevertheless, the support provided by World Vision International in the African region is recognized widely in spite of associated controversies because this organization funded by donors from all over the world provides the significant actual aid to the unprivileged societies.

References

Bryant, R. L. (2009). Born to be wild? Nongovernmental organisations, politics and the environment. Geography Compass, 3(4), 1540-1558.

Murphy, A. G. (2013). Discursive frictions: Power, identity, and culture in an international working partnership. Journal of International and Intercultural Communication, 6(1), 1-20.

Smith, S. C. (2012). The scope of NGOs and development programme design: Application to problems of multidimensional poverty. Public Administration and Development, 32(5), 357-370.

Wibbeke, E. (2013). Global business leadership. Oxford, UK: Elsevier.

World Vision International. (2015). Web.

Yuen, P. (2008). Things that Break the Heart of God: Child Sponsorship Programs and World Vision International. Totem: The University of Western Ontario Journal of Anthropology, 16(1), 40-51.

Introduction

The idea of the need to form a body to coordinate the anti-whaling activities in the world was proposed by Paul Watson when he formed the earth force. The sea shepherd was registered in 1981 as an anti-whaler and anti-sealer but later expanded to incorporate the other marine life (Sea shepherd conservation society 2010).

The sea shepherd was formed as an organization to police the international waters and help combat the illegal and indiscriminate exploitation of sea life. In the course of doing its self-appointed duties, it has come into contact with many anti and pro-whaling activists, and the results of each encounter have impacted the reputation of the sea shepherd either positively or negatively (Sea shepherd, n.d).

How is this issue impacting the reputation of the organization?

The sea shepherd has been associated with cases of abuse and violence against the sea whalers and sealers. They use an aggressive approach and face-to-face confrontation to stop the poachers activities and ensure that the governments, together with the general public are informed of what is going on through rallies (Sea Shepherd: Save Our Sharks, 2010).

The members of this organization harass and use violence on the poachers and this has at times led to threats against the crew from the fishing communities from all over the world; indeed, they have been denied transport passes, deported, jailed, and even harassed in many instances. The organization operates from donors funding as it is a non-profit making organization; therefore, the reputation it has is of significant importance given that a loss in reputation can have dire consequences such as loss/cutting of the funding or may increase the opponents for its operations (Sea Shepherd: Save Our Sharks, 2010).

A companys reputation emanates from the way the people affected by the company tend to view it, mainly based on personal experiences an individual has concerning the organization. The reputation of an organization is therefore based on the opinion that people have regarding the organizations model and scope of operations in the past and plans for the future.

Different groups of people have different opinions and a different gauge for measuring the companys reputation, given that each group is interested in a different aspect of the organization. In the case of the sea shepherd, a group may examine its reputation by looking at its accomplishments in protecting the sea life, its relationship with other similar organizations like Greenpeace, or even how it gets in areas where other similar organizations are unproductive (Organizational reputation, n.d).

A good reputation helps to build support for the organization as the stakeholders have a well-defined view of the organizations plans for the future. This also helps to overcome problems as the stakeholders have an interest in seeing the organization prosper.

The sea shepherd rivalry with the Greenpeace

Greenpeace was the predecessor to the sea shepherd. Paul Watson was a founder member of Greenpeace and founded the sea shepherd. Paul was a member of Greenpeace until he was expelled in 1977, due to ideological differences, after staying with the organization since 1971 (Greenpeace, 2010). The split has brought about many conflicts between the two organizations. Greenpeace is a strict adherer and observer of human rights and believes that there are many ways to resolve the poaching issues in the waters of the world without resulting in the use of violence. This is in contrast to the sea shepherd which beliefs in and constantly employs violence (Greenpeace, 2010). This rivalry of two organizations dealing with the same problems has led to the stakeholders questioning the commitment of the two in their quest and the reasons for the rivalry.

This has led to such theories as Paul Watson is trying to show the Greenpeace movement that the sea shepherd is better than his former organization from which he was forcibly removed. The outcome of this is that it has made the donors question the morality behind the organization and feel as if they are being used to fund a self-vendetta against Greenpeace instead of funding an organization that is serious about saving the endangered sea life (Greenpeace 2010).

Sea shepherd use of violence

The sea shepherd has had a long history, since its incorporation, of using violence against the fishermen and the poachers. The members of this organization do this by sinking the fishing ships and trawlers or by destroying them. This they do by ramming at them or opening their sea valves thereby destroying them. Basically, this is not perceived as violence to them because they say that they have never harmed anyone in the course of their work. However, other stakeholders in the company do not view it so. Greenpeace is widely outspoken against this use of violence since it sees it as achieving negative results among the poaching communities such as Japan. They say that when the fishing communities are threatened with violence, they are inclined to fish more as they hit back on those threatening them. Indeed, they will not change their behaviors but will continue to poach especially when the groups intimidating them are not around anymore (Activists disagree on whaling protests, 2008).

The use of violence led to the organization being removed from the group of observers for the international whaling commission in 1986 and this was followed by the announcement by IWCs secretary in 1994 when he referred to Paul as a terrorist (Sea Shepherd, 1994).

Changes in public opinion in relation to the organization and the issue

The issue of whaling came head-on after commercial whaling was illegalized in 1986 and this did not augur well with the countries like Japan and Norway and even Iceland who were traditional whalers. Norway officially opposed this, and together with the other countries opposed to Sea Shepherd, applied for the license to hunt for academic research (Scientific Slaughter, 2010).

Norway has since then commenced commercial hunting but Japan still hunts under the guise of academic research. Issues pertaining to the hunting of whales have at times led to confrontations between the whalers and the sea shepherd. These whalers are mainly of Japanese origin and this has and is continuing as witnessed by the arrest of an anti-whaling protestor (Japan indicts NZ anti-whaling activist, 2010).

In a meeting in Japan of the international whaling committee, Japan hosts fed the participants with whale meat, saying that they wanted them to have a taste and know how good the meat was. This tends to show the IWC that it has no power to dictate to the Japanese what to do and what not to do (Scientific Slaughter, 2010).

Since the introduction of the ban on the commercialization of whale meat, the public outlook on the way the sea shepherd does its duties has changed as the organization went beyond the set rules and regulations and took law into its own hands. They have guns and although they claim to use them for defense, the public sees this as a cover to hind their real intent for they are the ones who provoke the whalers (Sea Shepherd, 1994).

This can also be seen by the resignation of the then sea shepherd president in 1991, who was protesting against the changing rules of the organization together with the philosophy on hurting others or the use of weapons. This affected the organizations image as it led to the loss of confidence and trust in the organization (Sea Shepherd, 1994).

The use of weapons by this organization led to the public viewing it as a renegade group that had no respect to the laws hence was not different from the whalers it was running after. Moreover, Watson once ordered his crew to fire at a vessel belonging to a Japanese fishing group; he issued orders for cannon fire while the targeted vessel was still occupied, leading to many people seeing these activities as works of terrorists (Sea Shepherd, 1994).

How the issue is impacting the relationship between the organization and its publics

The increased losses between the whalers and the activists are skyrocketing each day as each party wants to hold it stand and not be pressured by the other. These are in form of boats that are sunk by the other party, leading to increased rivalry between the two (Onevike, 2010).

Continued use of violence has distanced Greenpeace further from the sea shepherd as the two do not agree on the limitations that they should observe to ensure that they get results. The heightened scope of these conflicts has led to like-minded people contributing large sums of money to ensure that the sea shepherd acquires machinery and boats that will give them an advantage over the whalers. Indeed, these conservationists have come together to fight the common evil (Onevike, 2010).

The general public has had mixed views about this as they comprise both the anti and pro-whalers. Basically, the anti-whalers support while the pro-whaling opposes the activities of these activists. Indeed, their activities have led to them conflicting with the law in the course of doing their duties. Moreover, this has led to arrests, jail terms, fines, being denied entry to some countries among other things (Sea Shepherd 1994).

Conclusion

The reputation of an organization is very important for it determines how the stakeholders in the organization relate to it. Since the personal view, an individual has on the organization is what determines the way he/she interprets its reputation, an organization has different reputations. The PR determines the opinion the stakeholders have because they react to the information they have; hence the organization can control the information it releases to the public.

For an organization especially, that depends on the public goodwill to existing, it should mind about how the public sees it because that is what the public will use as the means of gauging it to decide whether to associate or dissociate with the organization.

References

Activists disagree on whaling protests. (2008). Activists disagree on whaling protests, The Sydney Morning Herald. Web.

Greenpeace. (2010). Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace: some facts. Web.

Japan indicts NZ anti-whaling activist. (2010). Japan indicts NZ anti-whaling activist The Sydney. Web.

Onevike. (2010). Extreme Terrorist Group, Sea Shepherd Takes Financial Hit with the Sinking of their Batmobile Boat. Web.

Organizational reputation. (attached material).

Sea shepherd conservation society. (2010). The History of Sea Shepherd: On the Front Lines of Direct Action Marine Conservation. Web.

Sea shepherd. Sea Shepherds Violent History. Web.

Sea Shepherd. (1994). Sea Shepherds Record of Violence, The High North News Extra, no. 7. Web.

Sea Shepherd: Save Our Sharks. (2010). Sea Shepherd: Save Our Sharks. Web.

Scientific Slaughter. (2010). Scientific Slaughter: Japan and the Whales. Web.