Non-governmental organization

A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) is an organization which is independent from governments and their policies. Generally, although not always, these are non-profit organizations that gain at least a portion of their funding from private sources. Because of the negative definition, (the implication that an NGO is anything that is not government), many NGOs now prefer the term Private voluntary organization (PVO).

The phrase came into use with the establishment of the United Nations in 1945 with provisions in Article 71 of Chapter 10 of the United Nations Charter [1] for a consultative role for organizations that are not governments / Member States - see Consultative Status. The vital role of NGOs and other "Major groups" in sustainable development was recognized in Chapter 27 of Agenda 21, leading to revised arrangements for Consultative relationship between the United Nations and non-governmental organizations [1].

NGOs exist for a variety of different purposes, usually to further the political and/or social goals of their members. Some example goals include improving the state of the natural environment, encouraging the observance of human rights, improving the welfare of the disadvantaged, or representing a corporate agenda. However, there are a huge number of such organisations and their goals cover a broad range of political and philosophical positions.

NGOs also vary in their methods. Some act primarily as lobbyists, while others primarily conduct programs and activities. (For instance, an NGO concerned with poverty alleviation might provide food to the needy.)

The relationship between business, governments, and NGOs can be quite complex and sometimes antagonistic, particularly when NGOs act to oppose the activities of governments and businesses.

See also: civil society, charity, philanthropy, service club.

Example of different types of NGOs: (contains links to external sites)

• Campaign / Issue Organizations
  • AIESEC
  • American Civil Liberties Union
  • Amnesty International
  • Council of Canadians
  • Front d'action politique en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU)
  • Greenpeace
  • Human Rights Watch
  • Refugees International
  • Transparency International

• International Relief and Development Organizations (PVOs)
  • International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
  • IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre
  • CARE
  • Mercy Corps
  • The Hunger Project
  • International Rescue Committee
  • Catholic Relief Services
  • Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders)
  • Engineers Without Borders

• IT policy
  • Free Software Foundation
  • FFII

• Domestic Charitable Organizations
  • Lions Clubs International

• Quasi-autonomous non-government organisation
  • International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which is a marginal case. It defines itself as an NGO, but is a network of the government standards agencies of 147 countries.
  • W3C

• Treaty Organizations (Independent organizations that act very much like NGOs, but are established and mandated by intertnational treaties)
  • International Committee of the Red Cross

• Trade Associations and Industry funded interest groups
  • Americans for Balanced Energy Choices, a non-proffit lobbey organization funded by the US coal industry
  • The California Raisin Marketing Board
  • A right wing think tank linked NGO, critical of the activities of NGOs