OAS vs. Hunger Project: Online Hunger Discourse Compared

Introduction

Many parts of the world are experiencing some of the most severe problems in their history, including hunger and poverty. In the attempt to find solutions to these issues, organizations and NGOs take different approaches — both in the way they construct their policies and the way they promote them. A relevant comparison can be made on the issue of hunger as seen through the lens of the Organization of American States (OAS) as opposed to the perspective of the Hunger Project.

The world of the internet and the World Wide Web has become perhaps the most important environment for the dissemination of information. This is why the way in which information is presented online is crucial to the actual messages sent to the online audience. The critical comparison between the two organizations therefore focuses on the online presentation of their missions, activities, and aims.

The methods used for this comparison include a qualitative and quantitative process of data gathering and analysis. This comprehensive approach is important for the way in which the analysis is executed: on one hand, it offers a complex set of data through quantitative methods; on the other hand, the qualitative method of analysis allows precise focus on defining elements that reveal the similarities and differences between the two websites (Seidel, 1998).

There are several aspects to be taken into account. First, given the nature of the research, the two websites will be analyzed — from a content perspective — through answers to the questions: what?, how?, where?, who?, and why? Second, attention shifts to the qualitative results of the research, which include examining how the online discourses are structured, with attention paid to the language used, the imagery, and the cultural approach taken by each organization.

Content Structure and Approach

The what and how questions refer in particular to the actual content of the text and the website, and the way in which this content is structured. In this sense, the OAS is clearly organized on a principle-based framework. The entire website is grounded in the core principles of the organization. As stated in its "Who We Are" section, the "OAS uses a four-pronged approach to effectively implement its essential purposes, based on its pillars: democracy, human rights, security, and development" (Organization of American States, 2010). The structure of the website develops precisely these points, along with descriptions of events and meetings conducted in this spirit. The OAS approach to hunger differs from that of the Hunger Project because of the size and intergovernmental nature of the organization, which makes its treatment of the subject more extensive.

By comparison, the Hunger Project presents its content differently. It revolves around practical issues organized in sections such as "who we are," "what we do," and "where we work" (Hunger Project, 2010). While it focuses on the main mission of eradicating hunger, it does so in a manner distinct from the OAS — taking a more practical approach and offering easier access to the information its audience needs. This presentation style may appear more pragmatic and useful depending on the public and culture it seeks to reach.

Audience and the 'Where' Question

The where question may be understood as referring to the public — the audience. According to the audience, the text and its context can differ significantly (Ghadessy, 1999). From this point of view, the two organizations are quite different. As noted previously, the OAS is intergovernmental, which implies a different mode of control over its activities — specifically, control exercised by member states. This in turn implies a different targeted public. The OAS website attempts to serve the needs of all types of audiences, offering highly technical documents on hunger-related initiatives alongside policy documents promoting development and the reduction of poverty and hunger. Most of the documents presented on the site are technical and principle-based. The organization's underlying belief is that through development, human rights, and democracy, issues such as poverty and hunger can be addressed. This approach explains both the structure and the intended public of the site.

The Hunger Project, which deals more directly with these types of issues, adjusts its content to its targeted public. Unlike the OAS website, the Hunger Project's audience is assumed to come from countries most affected by hunger. Most of the articles related to poverty and hunger address situations in countries such as Ghana or Bangladesh. The texts are therefore constructed to appeal to these cultural contexts. Articles about individuals in those communities — such as the story of a woman who improved her living conditions by engaging in petty trade — are designed to speak directly to others in those communities (Hunger Project, n.d.). These stories serve to motivate people to pursue change and improvement, while also functioning as informal reports on the organization's activities.

Conclusion

Overall, it can be concluded that online communication is indeed a great step forward for promoting ideals, ideas, values, and — most importantly — initiatives. In the cases of the OAS and the Hunger Project, these two entities have chosen to promote their values and initiatives in notably different ways. This is largely due to the different nature of the two organizations, their different cultural backgrounds, and in particular their different approaches to issues such as hunger and poverty. Understanding these differences in online communication strategy is essential for evaluating how international and non-governmental organizations reach their respective audiences and pursue their missions.

Bibliography

Ghadessy, Mohsen. Text and Context in Functional Linguistics. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 1999.

Hunger Project. 2010. Accessed 28 May 2010 from http://www.thp.org/

Hunger Project. "Learning the True Meaning of 'Comfort' with THP-Ghana." N.d. Accessed 28 May 2010 from

Hunger Project. "Microfinance Program in Africa." 2010. Accessed 28 May 2010 from

Organization of American States. "Who We Are." Accessed 28 May 2010 from http://www.oas.org/en/about/who_we_are.asp

Seidel, V. Qualitative Data Analysis. 1998. Accessed 28 May 2010 from ftp://ftp.qualisresearch.com/pub/qda.pdf