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

2. 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’

3. 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.

4. 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”

5. 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

6. 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)

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

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

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

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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. NGOs at the UN

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

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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 .

18. Thank you!