Rethinking and NGO: Development, Donors and Civil Society in Jordan

Drawing on a careful blend of qualitative and quantitative research techniques, the author provides not only a rare, people-centered account of a Jordanian development organization and its practices, from grass roots to the national level, but also an insider's critical reflections on a venture with which she has been involved since its inception—The Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD). Its evolution in rapidly changing domestic and international circumstances has provided the author with the unique opportunity to address a range of themes that today dominate the discourse of development, including participation, gender and development, micro-finance, and donor conditionality. Drawing On A Careful Blend Of Qualitative And Quantitative Research Techniques, The Author Provides Not Only A Rare, People-centred Account Of A Development Organization And Its Practices, From Grass Roots To The National Level, But Also An Insider's Critical Reflections On A Venture With Which She Has Been Involved Since Its Inception - The Jordanian Hashemite Fund For Human Development (johud), Formerly Known As The Queen Alia Jordanian Social Welfare Fund (qaf). For Almost Three Decades The Fund Has Attempted To Improve The Quality Of Life In Local Communities, Functioning As A National But Non-governmental Organization On The Jordanian Development Scene. Its Evolution In Rapidly Changing Domestic And International Circumstances Has Provided The Author With The Unique Opportunity To Address A Range Of Themes That Today Dominate The Discourse Of Development, Including Participation, Gender And Development, Micro-finance And Donor Conditionality. This Highly Original Study Will Be Of Interest Both To Development Specialists And Those Concerned With The Social And Political Problems Of The Contemporary Middle East.--jacket. 1. The Politics And Policies Of International Development -- 2. The Development Process In Jordan -- 3. Questions Of Method: Definitions Of A Researcher's Space -- 4. Beginnings: The Queen Alia Fund: 1977-1984 -- 5. Mobilizing For Development: The Fund From 1984 Into The Late 1990s -- 6. The Fund In Transition -- Epilogue: The Beginning Of A New Era. Basma Bint Talal. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 233-261) And Index. Throughout its history, Jordan has had to contend with two overarching challenges: political instability in the broader Middle East region and limited domestic resources.