International Institutions ● Large and Powerful Organizations ● Make Policy ● Set the Rules ● Promote and Facilitate Globalization o World Bank o IMF o World Trade Organization

International Criminal Court ●Created in 2002 ●Prosecutions of individuals accused of genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity. ●Operates independently of UN ●The United States does not submit our criminals to the ICC ●Maximum sentence – life imprisonment ●Tried to Prosecute President Bush (This is why it may be controversial)

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) o Funded by Member Nations o LARGE organizations o EXAMPLES: UN, WTO, NATO o May be established for a specific purpose o May be UN Agencies  Unicef  UN High Commission for Refugees17

Goal of UN IGOs o Raise Awareness of Problems o Increase Local Capability o Train Local Personnel o Rarely Carry Out Programs on the Ground

The World Bank ●Provides low interest loans to developing countries for education, agriculture and business projects. ●Goal is to promote “inclusive, sustainable growth.” ●“End Poverty”

International Monetary Fund ● Monitors/Stabilizes currency markets o Makes it different from (WTO or World Bank) ● Provides loans to developing countries to stabilize markets ● Goal is to “facilitate international trade, while promoting economic development.”

World Trade Organization ● Establishes global rules of trade between nations ● Framework for trade policy: ● Non-discrimination (all members treated equally) ● Binding enforceable commitments ● Transparency ● Not part of UN system ● Predecessor was GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade)

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization 1949 ●Intergovernmental Military Alliance ●Reflects Cold War divisions ●Response to threat from Soviet Union (Warsaw Pact countries) ●Mutual defense if attacked by outside power ○ Afghanistan / NOT Iraq ●Post Cold War: Intervention - Military Training - Disaster Relief ○ Kosovo/Libya

The European Union 1993 ●Union of 27 European States ○Single market - 26% of global GDP ○Open borders (Travel and Trade Easier) ○Common environmental policy ○Common market ○Cooperation on security matters ○Reciprocity between court systems ○European Parliament & Court of Justice

The European Union 1993 ●The Euro ○Common currency 1999 ○17 of 27 members and other non- members (not UK) ○Central Banking System ○Currently; a strong currency pulled down by economic problems from some member nations.

Non-Governmental Organizations ● Operate independently from government ● Some well known NGOs are o The Red Cross o Habitat For Humanity o Amnesty International o Doctors Without Borders o CARE o Oxfam o Green Peace o Grameen Bank

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) ●Other Roles ○Can provide relief following a disaster ○Can call attention to polluters and environmental issues ○Can demand social justice and the release of political prisoners. ○Can usually respond quickly

The Work of NGOs ●Social Justice ●Humanitarian Aid ●Economic Development ●Environmental Preservation

What is the Advantage of NGOs? o More Flexible o More Focused o More Streamlined o Work Directly With the People “on the ground” o Can Be More Critical of Human Rights Abuses

Economic Development ●Microfinance Projects ○ A new approach to economic development ○Small loans to needy individuals in developing areas ○Goal is to promote entrepreneurship ○Popular on Internet sites ○Keeps money out of hands of corrupt governments / officials

Economic Development o KIVA  Online Microfinance Projects  Creates a positive image  No starving babies  Poor people who work hard to support themselves  KIVA Video KIVA Video

Economic Development o Grameen Bank  Founded by Muhammad Yunus (won Nobel Peace Prize)  Grameen – “rural” in Bengali  Microcredit – small loans to poor people (esp. for women)  Grameen Bank Grameen Bank

KIVA Entrepreneur

Environmental Preservation o Greenpeace  Works to change attitudes and behaviors regarding the environment  Climate and energy (oil, nuclear)  Promotes safe fishing & anti-whaling  Sustainable agriculture (against toxic fertilizers & use of Genetically Modified Organisms)  Video About Greenpeace Video About Greenpeace

Funding for NGOs ● Foundations o Grants ● Donations o Fundraisers ● Dues or memberships o Special interests (AARP) ● Bequests o Tax advantages

Problems With Funding o NGOs are not immune to fundraising and other financial scandals o A scandal in one organization taints the entire field o Fundraising for NGOs is a field in itself