Exploring NGO Educational Project Work: Working Towards the Healing of Afghanistan and Other Conflict-Affected Nations

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have become increasingly utilized in the rebuilding of war-torn countries. NGOs venturing into the chaotic devastation of countries like Afghanistan are required to navigate numerous challenges. Thiessen's book is a grounded-theory qualitative study of interview narratives of NGO officials involved in educational project work in Afghanistan as well as other conflict-affected contexts. The key findings reveal the constructive as well as potentially destructive role NGO project work can play in a conflict-affected zone. NGO officials also described the transformational potential of their educational project work and recognized their work as but one track in a multi-track intervention into conflict-affected countries. Further, NGO officials suggested a need for increased project time frames in order to increase the likelihood of success in their development and peacebuilding ventures. Thiessen's book will be of special interest to NGO leaders, community development workers, donor agency officials, as well as government officials responsible for establishing policy regarding interventions into war-afffected societies.

Chuck D. Thiessen (M.Ed, University of Manitoba) has spent one year working for an international NGO in Afghanistan. He has also worked as a research assistant at the Arthur V. Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice at the University of Manitoba and has co-authored several journal articles on peacebuilding and development processes in Northern Ireland.