1. Global Environmental Policy - Module 1: NGOs and Communities - Global Environmental Policies and NGOs and Communities

2. Governments Business and Industry NGOs and Communities Module 1: Global Environmental Policy Module 2: National Environmental Policy Module 3: Local Environmental Policy Class Matrix Today

3. NGOs and Sustainability Local Citizens Global Environment NGOs

4. What are NGOs? set up around shared and common ideas/problems non-governmental, and is not part of the local or prefectural government self-governing, that is, it is not externally controlled voluntary in its activities and in its membership.

5. NGOs or NPOs? NGO and NPO both stand for what it is not … “NGO” stands for Non Governmental Organization, and focuses on organizational character: not the government) “NPO” stands for Non Profit Organization, and focuses on its economic character: not a private firm that makes profit

6. Why are NGOs important? NGOs/NPOs are important as a link between the community that they serve, and international organizations and the UN. They help to collect important problems and other topics to UN meetings, and also help in distributing environmental information to the communities they serve.

7. Why are NGOs important? United Nations Community NGO/NPO Policies, programmes, campaigns, information Problems, ideas, monitoring, opinion etc.

8. What are the advantages of NGOs? They are flexible, and can try different ideas. They can be innovative and can use different methods of work. They have good links with communities. They can communicate with different groups. Many NGOs/NPOs have experienced staff on different issues.

9. What are the advantages of NGOs? Professionalism Knowledge and awareness Vision development Internal aspects Participation Partnership Networking External aspects

10. NGOs in Developing Countries? NGOs work mostly on poverty issues – with very poor people Projects in education, health, skill development, housing, finance etc. Help in areas where local government is weak Keep a check on government action

11. NGOs in Developing Countries? National, provincial or local governments Work with and for governments on broad development topics and projects Work ‘against’ governments in campaigning and advocating change in public systems NGOs may be of two types:

12. NGOs and United Nations? Participate in and help prepare for UN Meetings Provide a ‘voice’ for developing countries and communities at the UN Help develop international policies of UN, including technical expertise Help in distributing information at the local level Organize meetings and training on international policies at the local level

13. NGOs and United Nations? Major Groups in the UN Business and Industry Children and Youth Farmers Indigenous Peoples Local Authorities NGOs Scientific & Technological Community Women Workers and Trade Unions http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/majorgroups.html The UN defines NGOs broadly as “major groups”

14. NGOs and United Nations? UN-wide example: NGO Branch The NGO Branch is the focal point within the United Nations for Non- Governmental Organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) http://esango.un.org/

15. NGOs and United Nations? UN-wide example: NGLS The Non-governmental Liaison Service The United Nations Non- Governmental Liaison Service (UN- NGLS) is an inter-agency programme. Its aim is to promote and develop constructive relations between the United Nations and civil society organizations. http://www.un-ngls.org/

16. NGOs and United Nations? The UN Stakeholder Forum Stakeholder Forum is an international organization working to advance sustainable development and promote democracy at a global level. http://www.stakeholderforum.org/ UN-wide example: The United Nations Stakeholder Forum

17. International NGOs Major International NGOs working on Environment and Sustainable Development Greenpeace Oxfam Friends of Earth Worldwide Fund for Nature etc …

18. NGOs and United Nations? Every UN agency (eg: UNDP), multi-lateral bank (eg. Asian Development Bank) or bilateral agency (eg. JICA) has a sepcial department dealing directly and specially with NGOs. These partnerships work on a strategic, programmatic and project levels.

19. NGOs and United Nations – Example #1 UN NGO Meeting African Cities Energy Network

20. UN University Environmental Technology Centre, Murdoch University, Australia Book Online E-Learning NGOs and United Nations – Example #2

21. More info on NGOs See the NGO Café at: http://www.gdrc.org/ngo/

22. Governments Business and Industry NPOs and Communities Module 1: Global Environmental Policy Module 2: National Environmental Policy Module 3: Local Environmental Policy Next session Next …

23. Send me an email anytime! Hari Srinivas hari.srinivas@kwansei.ac.jp Class Communication … IMPORTANT: When you send an email, please always put “[GEP]” in the subject line! Resources, websites, ideas, notes will be available online: www.gdrc.info/gep /