The International Journal
of Not-for-Profit Law
Volume 8, Issue 4, August 2006
A publication of the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law
Accountability, Effectiveness, and Independence — Striking the Proper Balance
Where Do Your Pennies Go? Disclosing Commissions for Charitable Fundraising
Haim Sandberg
Government Financing of NGOs in Kazakhstan: Overview of a Controversial Experience
Vsevolod Ovcharenko
Tax Incentives and Transparency of NGOs in Indonesia
Pahala Nainggolan
Tracking the Implementation of Voluntary Sector-Government Policy Agreements: Is the Voluntary and Community Sector in the Frame?
Peter R. Elson
Democratization and the Dilemmas of Media Independence
Craig LaMay
Articles
Recent Laws and Legislative Proposals to Restrict Civil Society and Civil Society Organizations
International Center for Not-for-Profit Law
Curbing State Interference in Workers' Freedom of Association in Nigeria
Ovunda V.C. Okene
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Letter from the Editor
This issue of The International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law features a special section on not-for-profit organizations' efforts to balance accountability, effectiveness, and independence. First, Haim Sandberg examines the commissions that private companies, especially telemarketers, charge nonprofits for fundraising, and argues for disclosing these fees to potential donors. Next, Vsevolod Ovcharenko describes government financing of NGOs in Kazakhstan, detailing both its successes and its problems. Pahala Nainggolan investigates the opportunities and obstacles likely to confront the Indonesian Third Sector if the government's proposed tax incentive is approved. Using an innovative theoretical framework, Peter R. Elson dissects the differences between Canada's and England's approaches to implementing policy agreements between the voluntary sector and the government. And Craig L. LaMay takes a penetrating look at policies of media assistance to promote democratic consolidation, as well as the on-the-ground challenges of surviving in the marketplace while retaining a commitment to serious journalism.
Leading off our other articles, the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law assembles and analyzes data on recent laws and proposed laws aimed at constraining civil society organizations, describes strategies that some organizations have used to counter these measures, and suggests ways that the United States government can help. Finally, Ovunda V.C. Okene sketches the longstanding discord between trade unions and the Nigerian government and urges a different, mutually beneficial relationship.
We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of web masters Kareem Elbayar and Rebecca See and, especially, the generosity of our authors in sharing their experience and expertise.
Stephen Bates
Editor
International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law
sbates@icnl.org