Introduction to NGOs: class 2 role and functions #1 GRANT SPACE http://grantspace.org/tools/knowledge-base/Resources-for-Non-U.S.-Grantseekers/ngo-definition-and-role Q：What is an NGO? What role does it play in civil society? A: Non-governmental organizations, or NGOs, were first called such in Article 71 in the Charter of the newly formed United Nations in 1945. While NGOs have no fixed or formal definition, they are generally defined as nonprofit entities independent of governmental influence (although they may receive government funding). As one can tell from the basic definition above, the difference between nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and NGOs is slim. However, the term "NGO" is not typically applied to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations. Generally, the NGO label is given to organizations operating on an international level although some countries classify their own civil society groups as NGOs. For more detailed definitions of NGOs, please see our selected web sites below. NGO activities include, but are not limited to, environmental, social, advocacy and human rights work. They can work to promote social or political change on a broad scale or very locally. NGOs play a critical part in developing society, improving communities, and promoting citizen participation. Web Sites • Human Rights Organizations | The Role of Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) in Human Rights Advocacy Many organizations around the world dedicate their efforts to protecting human rights and ending human rights abuses. • * The Role of NGOs | Trinity College Dublin Non-governmental organisations originally appeared in the mid nineteenth century. After the Second World War, and with the creation of the United Nations, the need and place for a consultative role for organisations that were neither governments nor membe • Roles of NGOs | NGO Cafe Among the wide variety of roles that NGOs play, the following six can be identified as important, at the risk of generalization. • Definitions of an NGO | NGO Cafe 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. • * Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Guide | LibGuides at Duke University Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have become increasingly influential in world affairs. They often impact the social, economic and political activities of communities and the country as a whole. • * What is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)? - NGO Handbook A non-governmental organization (NGO) is generally considered to be any non-state, nonprofit, voluntary organization. As a non-state entitity, an NGO is generally independent from government influence-it is not a part of or controlled by government or an #2 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH CENTER http://www.gdrc.org/ngo/ngo-roles.html Roles of NGOs Among the wide variety of roles that NGOs play, the following six can be identified as important, at the risk of generalization: Development and Operation of Infrastructure: Community-based organizations and cooperatives can acquire, subdivide and develop land, construct housing, provide infrastructure and operate and maintain infrastructure such as wells or public toilets and solid waste collection services. They can also develop building material supply centres and other community-based economic enterprises. In many cases, they will need technical assistance or advice from governmental agencies or higher-level NGOs. Supporting Innovation, Demonstration and Pilot Projects: NGO have the advantage of selecting particular places for innovative projects and specify in advance the length of time which they will be supporting the project - overcoming some of the shortcomings that governments face in this respect. NGOs can also be pilots for larger government projects by virtue of their ability to act more quickly than the government bureaucracy. Facilitating Communication: NGOs use interpersonal methods of communication, and study the right entry points whereby they gain the trust of the community they seek to benefit. They would also have a good idea of the feasibility of the projects they take up. The significance of this role to the government is that NGOs can communicate to the policy-making levels of government, information bout the lives, capabilities, attitudes and cultural characteristics of people at the local level. NGOs can facilitate communication upward from people tot he government and downward from the government tot he people. Communication upward involves informing government about what local people are thinking, doing and feeling while communication downward involves informing local people about what the government is planning and doing. NGOs are also in a unique position to share information horizontally, networking between other organizations doing similar work. Technical Assistance and Training: Training institutions and NGOs can develop a technical assistance and training capacity and use this to assist both CBOs and governments. Research, Monitoring and Evaluation: Innovative activities need to be carefully documented and shared - effective participatory monitoring would permit the sharing of results with the people themselves as well as with the project staff. Advocacy for and with the Poor: In some cases, NGOs become spokespersons or ombudsmen for the poor and attempt to influence government policies and programmes on their behalf. This may be done through a variety of means ranging from demonstration and pilot projects to participation in public forums and the formulation of government policy and plans, to publicizing research results and case studies of the poor. Thus NGOs play roles from advocates for the poor to implementers of government programmes; from agitators and critics to partners and advisors; from sponsors of pilot projects to mediators. #3 KIDS GO GLOBAL http://www.kidsgoglobal.net/community/ngos What's an NGO? They come in all shapes and sizes NGO stands for Non-Government Organization. This means that it is a group that is not part of the government, but that does some of the things that governments do. Like - help with health care, education, human rights and the providing clean drinking water. NGOs can be huge - like the Red Cross, or small like - One Child's Village. Either way they play a role in making the world a better place to live. #4 UN RULE OF LAW http://www.unrol.org/article.aspx?article_id=23 Non-governmental organizations A non-governmental organization (NGO, also often referred to as "civil society organization" or CSO) is a not-for-profit group, principally independent from government, which is organized on a local, national or international level to address issues in support of the public good. Task-oriented and made up of people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of services and humanitarian functions, bring public concerns to governments, monitor policy and programme implementation, and encourage participation of civil society stakeholders at the community level. Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights. NGOs have been partners of the United Nations since 1947. In accordance with Article 71 of the UN Charter, NGOs can have consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Their relationship with entities of the United Nations system differs depending on their location and mandate. For example, NGOs which have an information component can become associated with the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) to help disseminate information on the work and aims of the Organization. Many UN Specialized Agencies operate their own accreditation programmes for NGOs which are relevant to their area of work. Numerous local, regional and international NGOs have played an essential role in national rule of law reform processes and at the global and international level. Some conduct research and analysis in the legal and other fields (e.g. sociology, economics) relevant to the rule of law. In many cases, they produce reports with policy recommendations, for use in their advocacy. NGOs often serve as early warning mechanisms and help monitor and implement international agreements. Others group professionals or other NGOs in specialized fields or professions into associations, networks or commissions with a view to exchanging knowledge and good practices, and facilitating the provision of rule of law assistance. Most non-governmental organizations in the rule of law field are engaged in some form of direct assistance or services, including advising on law-making and other forms of technical assistance, and/or fund and manage rule of law projects. #5 What is a Non-Governmental Organization? By Professor Peter Willetts, City University, London http://www.staff.city.ac.uk/p.willetts/CS-NTWKS/NGO-ART.HTM #6 NEW INTERNATIONALIST http://newint.org/easier-english/Africa/ngo.html They are private organizations which are concerned with aid, research, information and education in many different fields: for example human rights, peace, poverty, hunger, refugees, health, the environment and so on. Some NGOs work on relief for the victims of wars and disasters, and on longer-term projects in developing countries. Others focus on educating people about certain issues, or campaigning for change. There are now tens of thousands of NGOs. They may be international, national, or local organizations. Many NGOs get money from members of the