Tanzania Association of NGOs (TANGO)

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from near and far have decried the state of  uncoordinated in the Tanzania the CSO Sector. They say that despite the existence of such organizations like, The Foundation for Civil Society (FCS), Tanzania Association of NGOs (TANGO), Tanzania Council for Social Development (TACOSODE), Policy Forum (PF) and Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) just to mention a few not much has been done in terms of  fostering ethical conduct and adherence to the principles  good-governance among CSOs. Though they are grateful to the NGO Council for putting in place a Code of Conduct for NGOs which are the major component of the CSOs sector in Tanzania . Still the CSOs representative talked to during the FCS organized CSO week say there is need for a code of conduct which will be all encompassing.

While appreciative of the fact that Tanzanian CSOs are doing so much in terms of filling in the gaps in service delivery and in advocating for citizenry participation in the governance process, the CSOs also say that the efforts of CSOs have been disjoint.

The CSOs also praised the FCS for its efforts of recognizing the efforts of CSOs in engaging in the national development process, by awarding the deserving CSOs at the Annual CSO week , but also say that the award system should be scaled up.

Another issue which came out the interviews conducted by TANGO during the CSO week was the suggestion by the CSO that an open national CSO consultative forum should be called between October and February 2010. The aim of the open forum will be agree on the course which the CSOs are going to take and the best coordination mechanisms for a CSO which is as diverse as the Tanzanian one.

The CSOs suggest that TANGO, TACOSODE, FCS, PF, TGNP, LHRC and NACONGO should take the led in a drive to organized the said CSOs consultative meeting.