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A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an organization which is not a part of a government. Although the definition can technically include for-profit corporations, the term is generally restricted to social and cultural groups, whose primary goal is not commercial.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), although most continue to use NGO.
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 or 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.[2]
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 organizations and their goals cover a broad range of political and philosophical positions. This can also easily be applied to private/semi-private schools and athletic organizations.
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 people of the world.)
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.
1 Example of different types of NGOs (contains links to external sites)
- Campaign / Issue Organizations
- AEGEE
- AIESEC
- American Civil Liberties Union
- Amnesty International
- Council of Canadians
- Front d'action politique en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU)
- GreenpeaceGreenpeace is an international environmental organization founded in Canada in 1971. Greenpeace has acquired a reputation for the dramatic use of nonviolent direct action in campaigns to stop atmospheric nuclear testing and to bring an end to high-seas wh
- Human Rights WatchHuman Rights Watch is an international NGO based in New York City, USA, that works with human rights issues. The organization was started under the name Helsinki Watch in 1978 to monitor the Soviet Union's compliance with the Helsinki Accords. Other watch
- IAESTE
- Institute for International Assistance and SolidarityThe Institute for International Assistance and Solidarity or IFIAS is an international non-governmental organization with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, working for the promotion of democracy, transparency and human rights. It was registered under Bel (IFIAS)
- JCIJCI Junior Chamber International is a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs. We are 200,000 active JCI members and millions of JCI alumni participating in projects, meetings, learning programs and events. JCI thrives in more than 6,000 c ( Junior Chamber International)
- OxfamOxfam is an international agency that organizes famine relief and promotes development. It was founded in England in 1942 as the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief by Canon Theodore Richard Milford ( 1896- 1987), with a mission to send food through the Al
- Oxford Council on Good GovernanceA request has been made on Wikipedia for this article to be deleted. This request is being discussed to form a consensus whether this is, or could be, an article appropriate for Wikipedia. Please see this page's entry on the votes for deletion page for de
- Refugees InternationalRefugees International is an NGO headed by Larry Thompson. The organization provides advocacy, assessment, and preventive and supportive actions in three phases of population disruption and deplacement: Danger and Flight (Early warning; Protection; Assist
- Transparency International
- see also Attacks on humanitarian workers
- Domestic Charitable Organizations
- Treaty Organizations (Independent organizations that act very much like NGOs, but are established and mandated by international treaties)
- Trade Associations and Industry funded interest groups
