Panel debates the role of nonprofit organizations

Hawke began her NGO in 2004, Asociatia Ovidiu Rom, and quickly began to aid children and bring them through school. Upon following up on many of the students, she found out that a lot of them had dropped out, had children of their own at young ages, and even went back to begging. This knowledge drastically changed her perception of nonprofit organizations.

Cristina Balboa, a member of the school of public affairs, gave a final statement following the panelists' stories. "Sometimes the timeline is too short to make a meaningful difference," she states. Balboa also added that it takes time, even decades, to see a gradual impact in society. She then opened the floor for debates and comments.

John Casey countered Leslie Hawke, saying, "Well, what is much of a difference?" Casey claimed that not all differences have to be noted by "cumulative effects, such as economic or political changes," the idea that first comes to mind when debating poverty. Hawke responded by saying, "Things in nonprofit organizations are not done professionally, certain important measures are not met, and certain important aspects are not recorded."

Balboa wrapped up the evening by saying, "The first step in solving a problem is knowing your role in creating it." John Casey and Cristina Balboa are both professors in Baruch's school of Public Affairs.