What is NGO? March 27, 2013 2013 – 1st semester Young Leaders & International Organizations Organized by Saori Kakihara

Basic Definition of NGO: In a broad sense: Not based on government Non profit making Can vary depending on function: In U.S.: Private Voluntary Organizations In Africa: Voluntary Development Organizations Other terms are used: ‘stakeholders’, ‘civil society’, ‘major groups’, ‘grassroots’

Defining NGOs: What the UN Says… From the UN Department of Public Information: NGO refers to a non-profit citizens’ voluntary entity organized nationally or internationally. For example, professional associations, foundations, trade unions, religious organizations, women’s and youth groups, cooperative associations, development and human rights associations, environmental protection groups, research institutes dealing with international affairs and associations of parliamentarians are considered NGOs.

Defining NGOs: What the World Bank says… “The diversity of NGOs strains any simple definition. They include many groups and institutions that are entirely or largely independent of government and that have primarily humanitarian or cooperative rather than commercial objectives. They are private agencies in industrial countries that support international development; indigenous groups organized regionally or nationally; and member-groups in villages. NGOs include charitable and religious associations that mobilize private funds for development, distribute food and family planning services and promote community organization. They also include independent cooperatives, community associations, water-user societies, women’s groups and pastoral associations. Citizen groups that raise awareness and influence policy are also NGOs”

Definition of NGO Impossible to give one unique answer, but NGOs have following characteristics: Engaging in suffering relief activities Promoting interest of the poor Protecting the environment Providing basic social services Advocating community development

Typology Charitable: Needs of the poor/disaster relief (Feed the Hungry, Red Cross) Service: Provision of health, family planning or education (Planned Parenthood) Participatory: Self-help project with local people involvement (Habitat for Humanity) Empowering: Help poor people develop a clearer understanding of social, political, and economic factors (Amnesty International)

Typology (continued) Level of operation: Community-based organizations Citywide organizations National NGOs International NGOs

Typology (continued) Key Issues: Environment Labor Standard Poverty Globalization Animal Rights

NGO facts Began in 1800s as catalyst for social reform 1859 - Red Cross, After WWI - Save the Children Fund Enormous Growth in 1990’s International NGOs: 1988 - 8579 NGOs 1996 - 23,135 NGOs Growth in membership Ex. Worldwide Fund for Nature: 1985 - 570,000 members 2000 - 5.7 million members Varying size (1 person to thousands)

NGO facts (continued) Effectiveness regardless of size: Examples: Forest Stewardship Council Green Peace

Role of NGOs Increasing role in development From relief services (logistics management) to development services (strategic management) Creating a smaller, more interdependent, global community Internet: Bring forth issues to many

NGOs at the UN “Ten years ago there was little talk of civil society in the corridors of power, but now the walls reverberate with at least the rhetoric of partnership, participation, and the role of citizens’ groups in promoting sustainable development” The number of NGOs who are active at the UN has grown rapidly, especially since the 1990s.

NGOs at the UN

NGOs in Intergovernmental Processes 4 important functions: Setting agendas Negotiating outcomes (by proposing alternative language and solutions) Conferring legitimacy Implementing solutions

Role of NGOs in UN Enhancing the knowledge base Advocacy and lobbying Membership in national delegations Ensuring transparency Broader functions of NGOs in global society

NGO and NPO The NGO is a non-governmental organization. Its funds are raised by the government, but it maintains a non- governmental position, with no need for a government council. They are also known as civil society organizations. A non-profit organization uses its extra funds for the purpose of the organization, rather than dividing it between the shareholders and the owners of the organization. Examples of NPOs are public arts organizations, trade unions and charitable organizations.

Considering the role of NGOs The following quotes suggest some different opinions of the role of NGOs. What do you think? [C] …civil society is not just a resting place for social movements on their way to the state. It is meaningful and sometimes crucial as a site of political action in its own right. [A] NGOs are tugboats in international channels. [B] social movements take an unlikely idea, make it seem feasible, and then put it into practice. [D] the rise of the global idiots … any group with a fax machine and a modem has the potential to distort public debate .

Thank you!