Non-Governmental Organizations

Non-Governmental Organizations Filling in Globalization’s Gaps What is an NGO?  Non-governmental organizations are established to provide services that state governments cannot – or will not – provide. What is an NGO?   In order to be an NGO, such an organization is (usually) not associated with any particular government. There are certain exceptions. How many NGO’s are there?   It is estimated that there are about 40,000 international NGOs. Individual states may have hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of NGOs operating within their borders. Some Examples by State  USA – About 2,000,000 NGOs India – Between one and two million   Russia – 400,000 NGOs What do NGOs Do?  Three levels of developmental assistance: – Relief and Welfare  Distribution of food, shelter, health services The capacity to develop and pursue development on a self-reliant basis – Self-sufficiency  – Sustainable Developement  The capacity to continue development while maintaining current standards of living into the future Why do NGOs do this?  Usually out of humanitarian need. Because states in which these conditions prevail cannot, or will not, do anything about it.  Examples of NGOs    The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Founded in 1919 Currently 185 National Societies Examples of NGOs   Oxfam International established in 1972 Humanitarian and environmental issues, including trade justice, education, health, gender issues, and climate change Examples of NGOs   A group designed to apply pressure on states who are in violation of internationally recognized human rights Founded in 1961  Amnesty International Types of NGOs      INGO – International NGO BINGO – Business-oriented NGO ENGO – Environmental NGO GONGO – Government-operated to look like an NGO QUANGO – Quasi-autonomous representational group Methodology    Public Relations, including activism (e.g. Greenpeace) Consulting (e.g. the World Wildlife Fund) Project Management (e.g. Cooperative Assistance for Relief Everywhere [CARE]) Advantages of NGOs     May include members from many states Not answerable to any state agenda or authority Highly influential Can focus on single areas of interest Disadvantages of NGOs     Usually not legal entities Not usually recognized in the global (state-led) arena No power of enforcement Reliant upon donations to function