This is a very crucial point, and thanks for making it June! You've put it across very convincingly, and your logic is unassailble. I wish more people in the North would take note of such impacts ... whether intended or otherwise!

While not being a huge fan of the ideology of 'developmentalism', let me make a slightly-differing counterpoint.

I'm a freelance journalist, and a part (small) of my writing or photography is done for NGOs. At the same time, I keep at a whole lot of volunteer work, both online and offline, the kind of which I like doing (rather than doing it because it fits into the buzz-word of the hour!)

To be honest, I sometimes like to believe that the 'work for NGOs' helps to subsidise my own commitment to issues. Which is a good thing.

But your overall point is valid. Specially as the good life can be very tempting and seductive. Even, or specially, in the Third World (I use this term deliberately and out of preference!) --FN

Frederick Noronha,
Co-founder, BytesForAll bytesforall.notlong.com
Founder, Cameras For A Cause camerasforacause.notlong.com
Founder, Goa1556 goa1556.goa-india.org