Our recent discussion has surrounded the different levels or generation of NGO's
The first generation is
The second
The third
The fourth, is a generation that is still considered to be a theory, however more and more groups are able to identify that they are operating at lest partially if not fully in this generation.
Thus far in my research I have found three different variations of the fourth generation organizations:
- The first is the discourse on taking what is good from the existing structure and eliminating what is bad to form the new world. These groups demonstrate little commitment to any established structure. This can be seen in the world social forums discourse
- The second is the concept of working with the established structure and through them realizing the change. This can be seen in the direction that Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement is going
- The third is the idea that complete destruction is the only way to move forward
I have been thinking that perhaps organizations are like trees
Starting off at the roots are a wide and diverse group of people and networks that come together at the base of the tree creating the first generation.
Moving up the trunk the organizations grow into second and third generations
Around the fourth generation they really began to branch out. I am finding the fourth generations who believe in a new world keeping the good parts of the old, those who seek a new world utilizing the existing channels, and those who seek to destroy all that exists to start new.
All of these levels of organizations work together to better the world in some aspect, just as a tree can clean the air, provide shade, fruit and so on.
Within the fourth generations I believe seeds will be planted for new trees, some the same others diffrent.
