NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PEACE OPERATIONS 1

WORLD BANK NGO DEFINITION 2 “Private Organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community development.”

WHY THE DRAMATIC GROWTH IN NGOs 3 Negative Perception of the Welfare State Development Crisis Perceived Global Environmental Crisis Discrediting of Socialism Communications Revolution Global Economic Growth

NGOs 4 Overview NGOs Play a Key Role in Humanitarian Assistance and Development NGOs are the Rapid Response element for humanitarian disasters all over the world “Foot Soldiers” for International relief efforts Military in Peace Support Operations will have to work with NGOs

HUMANITARIAN CRISIS RESPONSE ELEMENTS 5 United Nations System (Agencies) Official National Donor Government Aid Agencies International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) International and National NGOs Coalition Military Forces

GOAL IS: UNITY OF EFFORT 6 Achieved Through: Consensus Coordination Cooperation

UNITY OF EFFORT 7 Must Be Achieved While Recognizing: Different Cultures of Response Elements Disparate Assessments Different Missions & Tasks In Crisis Diverse Goals

NGOs--WHAT THEY ARE NOT 8 Not Governments… Not Businesses...

NGO TYPES 9 The term NGO is very broad and encompasses many different types of organizations Advocacy NGOs Operational NGOs Relief Development

ADVOCACY NGOs 10 Their primary purpose is to defend or promote a specific cause and to influence policies and practices

OPERATIONAL NGOs 11 Their primary purpose is field work in humanitarian relief and design, development and implementation of development related projects. Operational NGOs are the one’s the military must work with in a cooperative relationship in a PSO

NGOs IN HUMANITARIAN CRISES 12 Provide Life Saving Interventions Food Distribution Shelter Water Sanitation Medical Care

OPERATIONAL NGOs ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORKS 13 Headquarters in one Country (ICRC) Many Autonomous National Chapters (Save the Children) Many National Fund Raising Offices, Pooled Funds, With A Single World-Wide Field Organization (World Vision)

OPERATIONAL NGOs ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORKS (cont.) 14 Autonomous National Headquarters with Field Organization. Work Assigned by Central International Organization (CARE) Field Work Done Only Through Indigenous Local NGOs

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURES 15 MILITARY Controlled Application of Violence Hierarchical Generally Conservative Explicit Mission Statements Not Comfortable With NGOs NGO Help The Disadvantaged Non-Hierarchical Generally Liberal Intangible Missions Not Comfortable With The Military

NGO “CULTURE” 16 Typical Western NGO: Young & Idealistic Liberal Arts Degree Believes in Sustainable Development Little Formal Operational Doctrine Few Formal Training Courses Significant Organizational Competition Increasing Security Concerns

VOLUNTARY CODE OF CONDUCT FOR RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS 17 Humanitarian Imperative Comes First Aid Is Given Regardless of Race, Creed or Nationality on the Basis of Need Alone Aid Will Not Be Used To Further a Particular Political or Religious Standpoint We Shall Endeavor Not To Act As Instruments of Government Foreign Policy We Shall Respect Culture & Custom

VOLUNTARY CODE OF CONDUCT (cont.) 18 Build Disaster Response On Local Capacities Involve Program Beneficiaries In The Management of Relief Aid Reduce Future Vulnerabilities As Well As Meet Basic Needs NGOs Accountable Both To Beneficiaries & Contributors Disaster Victims Are Dignified Humans, Not Hopeless Objects

GOVERNING PRINCIPLES 19 Humanity Impartiality Neutrality

NGO STRENGTHS ( World Bank Study) 20 Strong grassroots links Field based development expertise Ability to innovate and adapt Process oriented approach to development Participatory methodologies and tools Long-term commitment and emphasis on sustainability Cost effectiveness

CRITICISM OF NGOs 21 Have Lost Their Independence--Just Another Arm Of Governments Too Close To The Corporate World Fund Raising Is Their Primary Concern Excessive Living Standards In The Midst Of Poverty