How to choose a dance partner? A research into how INGOs perceive the challenges surrounding their local partner selection and how they deal with these challenges

Abstract

In this master thesis I have researched the challenges in the selection of local civil society partners by International Non Governmental Organisations (INGOs) who operate in peace building in the war torn countries of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda and the way the interviewed INGOs perceive and deal with these challenges. Before further explanation of my research in the next chapter, I will now first explain my sources of inspiration. During a course about civil society and conflict at the Radboud University Nijmegen I got fascinated by the cooperation between INGOs and local civil society organisations. Therefore I searched for a related internship program and I got a change at Peace Direct. Peace Direct is an London based peace INGO that actively promotes partnerships between INGOs and civil society in conflict areas with the objective of getting the knowledge of local peace builders central in all strategies for managing conflict.