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Policy Advocacy and NGOs Assisting Immigrants: Legitimacy, Accountability and the Perceived Attitude of the Majority

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  • Agnieszka Zogata-Kusz

    (Department of Christian Social Work, Sts Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology, Palacký University Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic)

Abstract

The article addresses the involvement of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) assisting immigrants in policy advocacy (PA) connecting the perspectives of political science and social work. In a context in which many politicians and a major part of society opposes immigration, it examines how NGOs perceive their legitimacy and accountability concerning their attempts to influence policymaking. It also studies how the attitude of the society towards these NGOs affects their work. The analysis builds on the multimethod research combining qualitative and quantitative approaches carried out among Czech NGOs. Among the key findings is that, when talking about legitimacy, NGOs’ representatives refer mainly to themselves and their own vision of society. This is however a manifestation of internalized external legitimacy sources such as democratic principles and existing laws, together with experience and direct contact with clients, as well as moral obligations. As for accountability, despite many people identify these NGOs as irresponsible welcomers , in fact most of them feel accountable primarily to society (in particular its weakest parts), then to immigrants and finally to themselves. The negative attitude of the majority toward these NGOs clearly affects their PA activities, e.g., their access to authorities, the raised topics and applied tools or types of arguments.

Suggested Citation

  • Agnieszka Zogata-Kusz, 2022. "Policy Advocacy and NGOs Assisting Immigrants: Legitimacy, Accountability and the Perceived Attitude of the Majority," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-19, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:11:y:2022:i:2:p:77-:d:750111
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jeffrey Unerman & Brendan O'Dwyer, 2006. "Theorising accountability for NGO advocacy," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 19(3), pages 349-376, April.
    2. Andrew Geddes, 2018. "The Politics of European Union Migration Governance," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(S1), pages 120-130, September.
    3. Maurizio Ambrosini, 2013. "Fighting discrimination and exclusion: Civil society and immigration policies in Italy," Migration Letters, Migration Letters, vol. 10(3), pages 313-323, September.
    4. Calderon Maria Apolonia & Chand Daniel E. & Hawes Daniel P., 2021. "Final Lines of Defense: Explaining Policy Advocacy by Immigrant-Serving Organizations," Nonprofit Policy Forum, De Gruyter, vol. 12(2), pages 285-310, July.
    5. Unerman, Jeffrey & Bennett, Mark, 2004. "Increased stakeholder dialogue and the internet: towards greater corporate accountability or reinforcing capitalist hegemony?," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 29(7), pages 685-707, October.
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    1. Leoš Zatloukal & Tatiana Matulayová & Pavlína Jurníčková & Nataša Matulayová & Jakub Doležel & Hana Šlechtová, 2023. "Using Solution-Focused Coaching in Social Work Practice with the Long-Term Unemployed to Promote Their Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-14, March.

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