NGOs and the United Nations’ Millennium Goals

Lesson Objectives By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Define/explain/understand why NGOs are important.Define/explain/understand why NGOs are important. Understand how NGOs work with the UN.Understand how NGOs work with the UN. Identify challenges and issues concerned with the future of NGOs.Identify challenges and issues concerned with the future of NGOs.

What is an NGO? A non-governmental organization (NGO) is independent from government control, not for profit, and often value based. The UN created the term in 1945 to describe non-governmental organizations but still participated in UN proceedings.

NGO Facts The number of NGOs has increased at exponential rates in recent decades.The number of NGOs has increased at exponential rates in recent decades. The history of NGOs dates back to the 1800s.The history of NGOs dates back to the 1800s. One of the first NGOs was the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade based in London,1787.One of the first NGOs was the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade based in London,1787. (Right: A picture of their emblem.)

Size and Scope of NGOs NGOs can be international, national, or local. Local NGOs are also referred to as nonprofits, community based, or grass root organizations. Budgets can range from $25,000 (Grain Project) to $800 million (Intl. Red Cross).

Why is the term NGO becoming more prevalent? In 1900, there were approximately 200 active NGOs. Today there are approx. 30,000 international NGOs (INGOs) in the U.S. alone. There are even more domestic NGOs in the U.S Other countries are experiencing similar trends. Growth in the INGO numbers correlates with globalization.

What do NGOs do? NGOs address problems neglected by governments/for-profit organizations, which are overlooked for many reasons, such as: Lack of profit made in providing the product/service.Lack of profit made in providing the product/service. Transcending international borders so governments are reluctant/unable to take control.Transcending international borders so governments are reluctant/unable to take control. Government/multi-national corporation might be the perpetrator.Government/multi-national corporation might be the perpetrator.

The Majority of NGOs 60% of NGOs are concerned with business/economic activities, scientific knowledge, technical standards, etc.60% of NGOs are concerned with business/economic activities, scientific knowledge, technical standards, etc. Ex: The International Standard Organization (ISO) is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The ISO seeks to create technical standards between its 157 member countries.Ex: The International Standard Organization (ISO) is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The ISO seeks to create technical standards between its 157 member countries. These NGOs are usually not well known.These NGOs are usually not well known.

Prominent NGOs The NGOs that are most well known make up less than 15% of the NGO population and are concerned with individual rights, welfare and the world polity.The NGOs that are most well known make up less than 15% of the NGO population and are concerned with individual rights, welfare and the world polity. Ex: Amnesty International, Save the Children, Sierra Club.Ex: Amnesty International, Save the Children, Sierra Club. These NGOs seek publicity for their success depends on a high public profile.These NGOs seek publicity for their success depends on a high public profile.

Where do NGOs get their resources? Increasingly, NGOs have special full-time, paid fund development teams. Resources come from a variety of sources: Private GrantsPrivate Grants Individual DonationsIndividual Donations Government GrantsGovernment Grants VolunteersVolunteers

NGO Facts Some NGOs are able to receive benefits in their country of origin.Some NGOs are able to receive benefits in their country of origin. Many NGOs are allowed tax deductible donations plus other benefits.Many NGOs are allowed tax deductible donations plus other benefits.

Who are NGO Activists? Social entrepreneurs are people who have a vision, practical abilities, and a drive to solve social problems.Social entrepreneurs are people who have a vision, practical abilities, and a drive to solve social problems. Examples include NGO directors, employees, and volunteers.Examples include NGO directors, employees, and volunteers. E.g. Muhammad YunusE.g. Muhammad Yunus

Why are NGOs important? Domestic NGOs offer a variety of services that are not offered by government or private companies.Domestic NGOs offer a variety of services that are not offered by government or private companies. Many governments have come to rely on these organizations to provide health/human services.Many governments have come to rely on these organizations to provide health/human services.

INGOs International NGOs have become major players in the international arena.International NGOs have become major players in the international arena. In many developing countries, INGOs offer services like health care, education, and infrastructure development.In many developing countries, INGOs offer services like health care, education, and infrastructure development. INGOs are also active in human rights, democratization, & conflict negotiation.INGOs are also active in human rights, democratization, & conflict negotiation.

NGOs and the United Nations NGOs play an integral role in the UN.NGOs play an integral role in the UN. If NGOs meet a certain criteria, they are formally recognized by the UN. These NGOs are able to not only attend UN meetings but participate in proceedings to a varying extent.If NGOs meet a certain criteria, they are formally recognized by the UN. These NGOs are able to not only attend UN meetings but participate in proceedings to a varying extent.

NGOS and the UN (contd.) The UN relies on NGOs to gather data, share their expertise, and help implement/monitor programs.The UN relies on NGOs to gather data, share their expertise, and help implement/monitor programs. Ex: The 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was driven by children’s rights groups like “Save the Children International”.Ex: The 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was driven by children’s rights groups like “Save the Children International”.

Challenges Faced by NGOs One of the greatest challenges faced by NGOs is resource acquisition, relying on outside support sources.One of the greatest challenges faced by NGOs is resource acquisition, relying on outside support sources. The number of NGOs are increasing and being forced to compete for resources.The number of NGOs are increasing and being forced to compete for resources. NGO accountability is weak. They do not need to report to a central authority resulting in doubt on their credibility.NGO accountability is weak. They do not need to report to a central authority resulting in doubt on their credibility.

Challenges Faced by NGOs There is a trend for NGOs to pay larger salaries in order to recruit and maintain professional, well-educated staff. This can be difficult since they are often on a tight budget.There is a trend for NGOs to pay larger salaries in order to recruit and maintain professional, well-educated staff. This can be difficult since they are often on a tight budget. According to a Newsweek article, the president and CEO of the American Red Cross makes $450,000 a year! According to a Newsweek article, the president and CEO of the American Red Cross makes $450,000 a year!

The Future of NGOs Competition between NGOs is problematic.Competition between NGOs is problematic. There must be a greater effort to empower and educate local groups and individuals.There must be a greater effort to empower and educate local groups and individuals. NGOs need to actively work to shape economic, political, and social forces that create such disparities in our world.NGOs need to actively work to shape economic, political, and social forces that create such disparities in our world.