Can FBOs Reshape the Rights-based Approach to Poverty Reduction? An example from Egypt

The Meaning of Civil Society: According to De Tocqueville, it is believed that civil society as a self governing group of associations that work to distribute power, broaden participation and limit the abilities of the state to dominate power in ways that can lead to revolution. Can We Study FBOs within a Civil Society Framework? Can We Study FBOs within a Civil Society Framework? The Conceptual Framework

Civil Society and Poverty Reduction Basic needs approach Basic needs approach Asset building and livelihoods approach Asset building and livelihoods approach Rights-based approach Rights-based approach

The Rights Based Approach “It means that the situation of the poor is viewed not only in terms of welfare outcomes, but also in terms of the obligation to prevent and respond to violations. For example, any action that excludes a specific group of children from school or discriminates against girls constitutes such a violation. The human-rights approach aims to empower families and communities to secure assistance and advocates a fair and just distribution of income and assets” (Van Rensburg 2007, p. 166).

Concerns about the Rights- Based Approach It is difficult to explain to the poor. It is difficult to explain to the poor. It does not always attract funding. It does not always attract funding. It can be resisted by ruling regimes and traditional power groups It can be resisted by ruling regimes and traditional power groups Some aspects of it can contradict local traditions and value systems Some aspects of it can contradict local traditions and value systems

Advantages of FBOs’ poverty reduction work: FBOs have Stronger faith-based emotional link with people. FBOs have Stronger faith-based emotional link with people. Their Staff and members are arguably more motivated. Their Staff and members are arguably more motivated. FBOs are closer to the poor. FBOs are closer to the poor. FBOs can integrate their messages into wider belief systems, FBOs can integrate their messages into wider belief systems, FBOs have strong associational ties and wider national and international networks. FBOs have strong associational ties and wider national and international networks. They are less dependent on foreign aid. They are less dependent on foreign aid.

Disdvantages of FBOs’ poverty reduction work: Religion limits the scope of development to certain meanings governed by specific religious doctrines. Religion limits the scope of development to certain meanings governed by specific religious doctrines. Religion is a traditional concept that is less flexible in accepting change and innovation. Religion is a traditional concept that is less flexible in accepting change and innovation. Religion can make basis for discrimination by FBOs against people of other religious groups. Religion can make basis for discrimination by FBOs against people of other religious groups. FBOs lack knowledge of latest in development theory and practice. FBOs lack knowledge of latest in development theory and practice. FBOs are mostly local organisations with limited geographic focus. FBOs are mostly local organisations with limited geographic focus.

Methodology Qualitative methods Qualitative methods In-depth Case Studies including: In-depth Case Studies including: - participant observation - semi-structured interviews - group interview Rapid Comparative Assessment Rapid Comparative Assessment

Algmeya Al-Shareya (GS) Eestablished in 1912 Eestablished in 1912 it believes in the importance of “social solidarity” as a principle means to help spreading the true version of religion through enhancing the role of mosques as centres for advocacy and service provision. it believes in the importance of “social solidarity” as a principle means to help spreading the true version of religion through enhancing the role of mosques as centres for advocacy and service provision. It controls the biggest network of mosques in Egypt with over 350 branches nationwide and sponsors more than 600,000 orphans in the country It controls the biggest network of mosques in Egypt with over 350 branches nationwide and sponsors more than 600,000 orphans in the country

Practical Findings: Similarities to Social Protection Universality and acceptance of claims. Universality and acceptance of claims. Size and regularity of payments. Size and regularity of payments. Prioritizing women. Prioritizing women.

Theoretical Findings: Reshaping the Rights-Based Approach?? The understanding of recipients’ rights as obligations on civil society.The understanding of recipients’ rights as obligations on civil society. Recognition of the poor’s right to social protection but with a needs-based delivery approach.Recognition of the poor’s right to social protection but with a needs-based delivery approach. This responds to some of the criticism of the rights-based approach, especially the cultural critique, but it still leaves many unanswered questions.This responds to some of the criticism of the rights-based approach, especially the cultural critique, but it still leaves many unanswered questions.

Conclusions FBO networks have the capacity to be effective providers of social protection. FBO networks have the capacity to be effective providers of social protection. Despite the dominance of needs-based practices by FBOs, they have the potential to depart towards further integration of rights into their practice. Despite the dominance of needs-based practices by FBOs, they have the potential to depart towards further integration of rights into their practice. The incomplete practice of the rights- based approach by some FBOs can be more effective in certain socio-cultural contexts. The incomplete practice of the rights- based approach by some FBOs can be more effective in certain socio-cultural contexts.

Questions and Discussion