Como fomentar y fortalecer la vida civil a con información que promueve la acción: el rol de las ONGs = How to foster and strengthen civic life through information for action : the role of NGOs = Comment stimuler et reinforcer la vie civique a travers l'information pour l'action : le role des ONGs

Abstract

NGOs have a remarkable role in strengthening democracies in developing countries. One of their roles is usually associated to the custody of civic values and minority rights. In this paper I discuss the particular usage of information by NGOs, a use that is related to political activism. Giving a convincing display to information and spreading it to targeted civil actors, NGOs confer a positive force to data, transforming awareness into social change. The process encompasses the use of information technologies, mostly the Internet. I also offer a description of an Argentinean NGO, "Citizen Power” to exemplify how advocacy organizations generate information. Some issues are raised in the conclusions about NGOs’ accountability as well as their contributions to the worldwide flow of information