2. Civil Society A society based on voluntary civic and social organizations and institutions, as opposed to commercial institutions or state structures that are enforced in some way Civil Society describes the collective actions of people based on shared interests. People may take collective action to form organizations such as community groups, NGOs, trade unions etc.

3. Global Civil Society This refers to citizens, nations or groups willingly contributing to the betterment of an international community or cause. Their actions and decisions go beyond the borders of nations and the relationships between countries.

4. Global Civil Society International organizations play a significant role in creating a global civil society. There are two main types of international organizations: 1. Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) 2. International non-governmental organizations (INGOs)

5. Intergovernmental Organizations IGOs are set up by formal agreements between nations. Each member nation will have a representative to attend meetings. They represent individual interests and collective interests The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization

6. International non-governmental organizations INGOs are not set up by governments but are set up by individuals and groups Many INGOs are: - Non-profit (they need money but their job is not to make money) - Non-religious (while they may have a religious base, their activities are secular) - Pacifist (their concern is to try to have nations confront issues in a non-military fashion)

7. INGOs Oxfam International and World Vision International are examples INGOs are designed for a clear purpose and tend to have missions to solve a specific problem

8. Promoting Liberal Internationalism