NGOs: Shaping International Policy Presented by Leah J. Maurer

Globalization has created a climate in which NGOs are needed to play a major role in international policy.

Overview What is Globalization? What type of climate has Globalization created? What are the impacts of Globalization? The need for International Organizations The need for Non-governmental Organizations NGOs Helping International Organizations NGO Participation in International Policy International Organizations’ Efforts Overall Goal

What is Globalization? Globalization Index (A.T. Kearney) –Examines personal contact across nation boarders –Charts World Wide Web usage –Analyzes economic integration –Tracks movement of goods and services –Measures the permeability of boarders –Tracks movement of money across borders

Globalization Climate Technology Driven –Electronic communication –Declining transport costs –Mobile assets (finance & knowledge) –Services & stages of production across national boarders –Integrated markets –Job and investment decisions internationalized

Impacts of Globalization Rising Inequality –Great rewards for those well-endowed –Increasing pressures on those less well- endowed Exclusion Insecurity

The Need for International Orgs Globalization has created a new playing field Global organizations can facilitate by developing flexible networks and alliances across national boundaries

The Need for NGOs Establishment of International Organizations Economic, social, and political trends Changes in roles, relationships, capacity, and accountability Implication for policy and practice

NGOs Helping International Orgs Setting agendas Negotiating outcomes Conferring legitimacy Implementing solutions Policing agreements

NGO Participation in Int’l Policy Include Frustrate decision making More complete information Gain support/buy-in Limit Narrowing the field fairly is difficult Conflicting information Create enemies

International Orgs’ Efforts Create tiers of status (ECOSOC) Formal voting rights (ILO) Disseminate detailed unrestricted info (WB) Survey, advisory groups, public meetings, private meetings with staff (WB) Delegates, representatives, consultants Regular contact with Secretariat or Director General Participation at conferences as observers or speakers

Overall Goal Develop systems of public participation that include NGO expertise, resources, grassroots connection, dedication, resolution, and lack of bureaucratic constraints Think transformational not transactional Understand and accept conflict of interest-- it is the root of democracy

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