The Role of NGOs

In this Session
Learn how NGOs participate in the intergovernmental arena, including the negotiation of MEAs. Consider the value of NGO roles. Defining NGOs NGOs at the UN and in MEAs Defining Objectives: different NGO roles in negotiations

Defining Non-Governmental Organisations

How do you describe an NGO? One survey found 48 different terms and acronyms. Here is a sample:
BINGOs Big International NGOs BONGOs Business Organized NGOs CBOs Community Based Organizations CSOs Civil Society Organizations ENGOs Environmental NGOs GONGOs Government Organized NGOs IPOs Indigenous Peoples Organizations GROs Grassroots Organizations GSCOs Global Social Change Organizations NPOs Nonprofit Organizations VOs Voluntary Organizations

In short, there is no agreed terminology for describing the NGO sector. In some ways, it is easier to describe what NGOs are not, rather than what they are. It is generally agreed that NGOs are not: part of government, or organized primarily for private profit.

Defining NGOs: What the UN Says

From the UN Department of Public Information: NGO refers to a non-profit citizens voluntary entity organized nationally or internationally. Thus, professional associations, foundations, trade unions, religious organisations, womens and youth groups, cooperative associations, development and human rights associations, environmental protection groups, research institutes dealing with international affairs and associations of parliamentarians are considered NGOs.

Defining NGOs: What the UN Says

From the Report of the Panel of Eminent Persons on United NationsCivil Society Relations: Non-governmental organization (NGO). All organizations of relevance to the United Nations that are not central Governments and were not created by intergovernmental decision, including associations of businesses, parliamentarians and local authorities. There is considerable confusion surrounding this term in United Nations circles. Elsewhere, NGO has become shorthand for publicbenefit NGOs a type of civil society organization that is formally constituted to provide a benefit to the general public or the world at large through the provision of advocacy or services. They include organizations devoted to environment, development, human rights and peace and their international networks. They may or may not be membership-based. The Charter of the United Nations provides for consultations with NGOs.

NGOs, civil society, or major groups?

The Panel described civil society in the following way: the associations of citizens (outside their families, friends and businesses) entered into voluntarily to advance their interests, ideas and ideologies. The term does not include profit-making activity (the private sector) or governing (the public sector). Of particular relevance to the United Nations are mass organizations (such as organizations of peasants, women or retired people), trade unions, professional associations, social movements, indigenous peoples organizations, religious and spiritual organizations, academe and public benefit non-governmental organizations.

NGOs, civil society, or major groups?

Major Groups is a term that was introduced in Agenda 21, agreed by governments at the Rio Earth Summit. It describes nine sectors of society identified as having a significant role in sustainable development:

women children and youth indigenous people NGOs Local authorities Workers and trade unions business and industry the scientific and technical community farmers

Stakeholders: Yet another term!

Stakeholders: Those who have an interest in a particular decision, either as individuals or representatives of a group. This includes people who influence a decision, or can influence it, as well as those affected by it.

NGOs at the UN
Ten years ago there was little talk of civil society in the corridors of power, but now the walls reverberate with at least the rhetoric of partnership, participation, and the role of citizens groups in promoting sustainable development The number of NGOs who are active at the UN has grown rapidly, especially since the 1990s.

NGOs at the UN
NGOs in Consultative Status with ECOSOC
3000

NGOs in Consultative Status

2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 1940

40 180

2613 2379 2234 2151 2050 1938 1505 1184 1041 886 784 744

1950

1960

1970 Year

1980

1990

2000

2010

NGOs in Intergovernmental Processes

4 important functions: Setting agendas Negotiating outcomes Conferring legitimacy Implementing solutions

Role of NGOs in MEAs

Enhancing the knowledge base Advocacy and lobbying Membership in national delegations Contribution to compliance review and enforcement as well as dispute settlement procedures Ensuring transparency Supporting international secretariats Broader functions of NGOs in international environmental governance

UNEPs approach to CS
Service-delivery organizations that develop, monitor and implement projects/programmes or services; these CSOs are often based at the grassroots level or work closely with community-based organizations (CBOs). Representation organizations that aggregate citizen voices; these include CSO umbrella and network organizations and indigenous peoples groups. Advocacy and policy inputs organizations that provide expertise and lobby on particular issues; these include think-tanks, researchoriented institutions and watchdog institutions. Capacity building organizations that provide support to other CSOs, including funding, training and raising awareness; these institutions include foundations and major NGOs. Social functions organizations that foster collective social activities, including religious groups.

Considering the role of NGOs

The following quotes suggest some different opinions of the role of NGOs. What do you think?

[A] NGOs are tugboats in international channels.

[B] social movements take an unlikely idea, make it seem feasible, and then put it into practice.

[C] civil society is not just a resting place for social movements on their way to the state. It is meaningful and sometimes crucial as a site of political action in its own right.

[D] the rise of the global idiots any group with a fax machine and a modem has the potential to distort public debate .

In Summary

Terminology around NGOs varies. They are defined by the UN as non-profit citizens voluntary entities organized nationally or internationally. A range of other terms are used almost interchangeably, particularly stakeholders, civil society and major groups. NGOs have been involved in the UN since its inception; the rate of involvement has grown exponentially. Different agencies of the UN have their own accreditation arrangements (see Module Seven). NGOs bring knowledge and information, new issues and expert advice to intergovernmental negotiations and can play different roles, including:

In Summary

Setting agendas Negotiating outcomes (by proposing alternative language and solutions) Conferring legitimacy Implementing solutions Sometimes, a choice has to be made about working inside or outside official processes. Both have pros and cons, and the decision needs to be taken carefully.