As an innovative way of celebrating 'Goa Mukti Din', a People's Symposium was organized by the 'Goa Social Forum' on 18/12/2004 at T. B. Cunha Hall, Panaji. The theme was 'Relevance of NGOs in Goa Today'. About fifty people from various backgrounds ranging from Labour organization, judiciary, media and academician and prominent NGO's participated and discussed and shared there views on NGO scenario in Goa. The following was the outcome of discussion.
1. NGOs should be the voice of the voiceless, after developing the leadership among the marginalized they should take a back seat and allow the emerging leadership to take over. 2. NGOs should be involved by the government in the policy formulation and making process and not merely for the implementation of defined policy. 3. NGOs should develop cross sector network with larger base among the oppressed section such as tribals, dalits etc. NGOs should not work against each other as well as not compartmentalize the areas of operation and target group. 4. NGOs should not be mere firefighters, but develop a strategy to counter the socio-economic and political forces in society, through mutual exchange of views and joint action. 5. NGOs should not merely become contractors to implement the government programs. 6. NGOs look forward for a closer exchange of views and support from the media and judiciary. 7. NGOs are not alternative to government, but have the responsibility of bringing to light the deficiency in government policy. In view of the critical role played by NGO groups those whose vested interests are threatened by the awareness created by NGOs can not expected to talk positively about NGOs and therefore they resort to labelling NGOs as anti-government, anti- development, frustrated, always negative and so on. Reggie Gomes and Soter D'Souza (Organising Secretaries of Goa Social Forum)
