International Organizations

With a partner… Make a list of the issues or problems that you know of that are happening around the world.

As we read about, International organizations on the following slides record text evidence that helps you understand term on your International Organization worksheet. International Organization Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) Intergovernmental Organization (INGO)

Working together Organizations are groups of people, businesses, or governments that work together to solve an issue. International organizations involve governments or people from different countries working together to solve an issue that crosses country borders. Reaching across borders is what makes them “international.” There are two main types of international organizations.

Intergovernmental Organizations “Inter” means among or between. It is a prefix that shows there is a connection between things. Intergovernmental organizations are organizations that are formed between governments. They are based on formal agreements between three or more countries that have come together for a specific purpose. For example, several governments might come together to help defend each other against enemy threats. Or, governments might form an organization to solve an environmental problem that is affecting each nation involved.

Nongovernmental Organizations “Non” means not. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are groups that work to solve problems around the world but are not connected to any government. (Although they may have members that come from government organizations.) NGOs must raise money independently to fund their projects, so are free to work toward their own goals. They don’t rely on a government to make decisions or provide support, although many NGOs do receive government funding. NGOs often work together, especially if they have similar goals or focus on the same geographical region. For example, if an NGO wanted to fight disease in central Africa, it might collaborate with other NGOs working in that area.

What International Organizations Do International organizations are generally involved in either aid or security. Imagine that terrorist breaks out in a small corner of the world. The countries involved have weak governments and little money, and the trouble is turning into a crisis. Thousands of people are suffering. Some international organizations may send military forces to help restore peace or advisers to help strategize against the terrorists. Other organizations may send food or medical supplies to help suffering civilians. In this way, international organizations are critical to keeping the world a safe and stable place to live.

International Organization Definition: governments or people from different countries working together to solve problems or issues in the world.

Intergovernmental Organization Definition: Organizations that are formed between the 3 or more governments of different nations that come together for a specific purpose.

Example of an International Organization Find this on your activity sheet and record the information North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA) is a formal agreement among the governments of the US, Canada and Mexico to form a large free trade zone and eliminate extra taxes This is between governments, so it is NOT a NGO

Nongovernmental Organizations (NGO) Definition: groups or people that work together to solve problems that are not connected to any government.

Nongovernmental Organizations (NGO) Some nongovernmental organizations are concerned with international issues. NGO perform a variety of services humanitarian functions, communicate citizen concerns to governments, advocate for certain issues such as human rights or the environment, encourage political participation.

Group Work You will you the internet to learn about 9 different organizations. Go to Click on the International Organizations tab You will find links to all of the different organizations. Click on the link to learn about each organization. You will complete the chart for each organization. You may work with a partner but you will need to work quietly and record your own answers.

World Trade Organization Find the “World Trade Organization” row on your activity sheet According to the activity sheet, what do we need to know about the World Trade Organization? Based on what you see on the World Trade Organization’s homepage, where should we look to gather this information? World Trade Organization Website

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Headquarters Brussels, Belgium I or NGO Intergovernmental Current Number of Member Countries 28 Main Purpose Group of countries that will protect each other in case of attack Keep peace and security around world; help countries after a disaster Join or Support A country must meet membership criteria in order to join the NATO. An individual can support the organization by working for the NATO.

Red Cross Red Crescent 1863 Headquarters Geneva, Switzerland I or NGO NGO Current Number of Member Countries 186 Purpose To respond to disasters, run programs in their local communities and visit prisoners of war or civilians imprisoned during times of conflict. Support Individuals can support the organization in multiple ways: donate money, support through social media, volunteer, work for the organization, and raise awareness. Countries can create their own division.

European Union 1951 Headquarters Brussels, Belgium I or NGO Intergovernmental Current Number of Member Countries 27 Purpose Help European countries avoid conflict by making them dependent on each other. 1) Create a single economy in which all members participate 2) Act as a single voice in the world for its member countries 3) Give aid to countries around the world Join or Support A country must meet membership criteria in order to join the EU. An individual can support the organization by working for the EU

World Bank 1944 Headquarters Washington, D.C. I or NGO Intergovernmental Current Number of Member Countries 187 Purpose Help poor and middle-income countries get money to build improvements and reduce poverty 1) Improve living conditions in countries with moderate financial resources. 2)Improve conditions in the poorest countries in the world. Join or Support Countries can join if they meet membership requirements. Individuals can intern or work at the World Bank.

World Health Organization (WHO)1948 Headquarters I or NGO Intergovernmental Current Number of Member Countries 193 Main Purpose Works to improve health around the entire world Join or Support

United Nations 1945 Headquarters New York, New York I or NGO Intergovernmental Current Number of Countries Involved 193 Purpose Keeping the peace, developing friendly relationships among countries, improving the quality of life for the world’s poor people Peacekeeping- Bring stability and peace to troubled areas around the world, Improve the quality of life for the world’s poor Join/Support Countries can join the UN by decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. Individuals can support by donating money, interning for the UN or working for the UN.

UNICEF 1946 Headquarters New York, New York Intergovernmental or NGO? Intergovernmental Who is involved? 193 UN member countries What is their purpose? UNICEF focuses their work on a variety of children’s issues throughout the world. For example, education, sanitation, protection of children from violence, etc. How can governments join or support? Individual citizens can support by donating money, supporting through social media, sign up for the newsletter, and purchasing a UNICEF gift and working or interning for the organization

World Court 1945 Headquarters The Netherlands Intergovernmental or NGO? Intergovernmental Who is involved? 193 UN member countries What is their purpose? This organization acts as a world court and handles cases where two nations are in conflict and provides legal advice for UN member nations. How can governments join or support? Countries can become member through meeting the requirements to join the UN. Individuals can intern or work at the World Court.

Writing Prompt Explain why international organizations are the responsibility of the executive branch. Then explain the difference between a intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations and provide an example of each.