Non-governmental Organizations (NGO) Joe Filbrun

Numbers The number of NGOs operating in the United States is estimated at 1.5 million. Russia has 277,000 NGOs. India is estimated to have had around 2 million NGOs in 2009, just over one NGO per 600 Indians, and many times the number of primary schools and primary health centres in India.

By Definition A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a non-profit, citizen-based group that functions independently of government. NGOs are organized on local, national and international levels to serve specific social or political purposes. NGOs perform a variety of service and humanitarian functions: Bringing the issues of citizens to a governmental level; advocating and monitoring policies; and encouraging political participation through the provision of information. Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, environment or health. While others exist to either provide general aid, or to merely exist outside of governments influence.

By Definition (Origins) Non-governmental Organizations were first defined with the creation of the United Nations (UN) in 1945. The UN, existing itself an intergovernmental organization, defined certain, and approved specialized international non-state agencies to be awarded observer status at its assemblies and some of its meetings. Today, according to the UN, any kind of private organization that is independent from government control can be termed an "NGO", provided it is not-for-profit, non-criminal and not simply an opposition political party.

NGOs relation with States NGOs have become important actors in development assistance for at least three reasons: First, because of their scale. In 1989, they contributed US$6.4 billion to developing countries (including $2.2 billion of official funds), representing some 12 percent of total development assistance.) Second, because of their style of work. Many NGOs have demonstrated an ability to reach poor people, work in inaccessible areas, innovate, or in other ways achieve things which are difficult for official agencies. Third, many of them represent poorer people. Many NGOs have close links with poor communities. Some are membership organizations of poor or vulnerable people. Others are skilled at participatory approaches.

NGOs relation with States (Cont) The NGO has become increasingly important due to both the growing interconnectedness of nations, as well as the success of NGO support, funding, and aid in recent situations. The growth of NGOs has come under various circumstances; The greater ability to aid minority groups, and people under impoverished circumstances is allowing for the growth of these groups, and the growth of their funding. The need for a plurality of voices in political decisions, outside of governmental bodies. The need to “Roll back the State” as described in John Clark’s “The Relationship Between the State and the Voluntary Sector” in countries where the government has become overextended. As well as the rapid increase in the number of specialized NGOs, allowing for both localized aid, as well as the rise in the choices a donor has to support or fund.

Benefits According to the UN, these diverse organizations are able to work around any short-term financial objectives due to their non-profit status. They are able to devote themselves to issues which occur across longer time horizons, such as climate change, malaria prevention or a global ban on landmines. They exist to provide; aid, funding, support, etc.. So they often enjoy a high degree of public trust, which can make them a useful. (This is supported in public surveys) They aren’t hindered by taxation due to their existence outside of governmental ties for the most part.

Funding As non-profit organizations, NGOs rely on a variety of sources for funding projects, operations, salaries and other overhead costs. The annual budget of an NGO can be in the hundreds of millions (or even billions) of dollars. Funding sources include membership dues, the sale of goods and services, private sector for-profit companies, philanthropic foundations, grants from local, state and federal agencies, and private donations. Although most NGO’s survive off of the many small donations of the public, Individual private donors, and government funding comprise a significant portion of NGO funding.

Examples of NGOs ACLU- (American Civil Liberties Union) ADRA- (Adventist and Development Relief Agency) Amnesty International CPJ- (Committee to Protect Journalists) Forum 18- News Service HRW- (Human Rights Watch) ICBL- (International Campaign to Ban Landmines) Iraq Foundation- InterAction- Ebola USHMM- (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)

Criticisms of NGOs Criticisms of NGOs include: The reliance of NGOs on government funding, despite their independence from government. Some governmental NGO funding may be viewed as controversial because the funding may support certain political goals rather than a nation's development goals. Russian President Vladimir Putin commented in the 43rd Munich Conference in 2007 on NGOs, "[NGOs] are formally independent but they are purposefully financed and therefore under control." The formation of an NGO is often viewed as a means to escape taxation without truly serving as an NGO was intended. Some critics explain NGOs as wanting to fix the world without truly understanding it or the issues involved. Jessica Mathews wrote in Foreign Affairs in 1997: "For all their strengths, NGOs are special interests. The best of them ... often suffer from tunnel vision, judging every public act by how it affects their particular interest".

Video Human Rights Animated Ad by Amnesty International (An internationally respected NGO) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvr4xn-_0kY

Bibliography Clark, John. "The Relationship Between the State and the Voluntary Sector."The Relationship Between the State and the Voluntary Sector. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. http://www.gdrc.org/ngo/state-ngo.html Folger, Jean. "How Do NGOs Get Funding?" Investopedia. Investopedia, n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. http://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/13/ngos-get-funding.asp "NGOs." U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State, n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. http://www.state.gov/j/drl/lnks/ngo/ "Worldwide NGO Directory." World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. http://www.wango.org/ "Global Policy Forum." NGOs. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. https://www.globalpolicy.org/ngos.html