Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs)

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are nonprofit associations that function independently of institutionalized government structures. NGOs are major players on the global stage because of their numbers and the extensive reach of their activities, often in remote areas with populations overlooked by the state and other organizations. For these reasons, it is important to understand the breadth of NGO activities, explore their history, and be familiar with the praise and criticism directed at these powerful organizations. Although they are grouped under a single, broad description, individual NGOs vary greatly with respect to their objectives, approach, culture, and scale at which they work. NGOs are influenced by the context where they work; their approach and capability vary greatly from place to place.

NGOs have a wide variety of objectives. They usually embrace political (e.g., democracy building), environmental (e.g., forest conservation, animal rights), or social (e.g., women's empowerment) goals. They also often provide services to communities (e.g., drought relief). NGOs are active in the arenas of national and international politics, humanitarian assistance, and economic development. Some NGOs are staffed by volunteers, but NGO work has also gained prestige as a legitimate, and occasionally well-paid, career.

NGOs engage in a wide range of activities, including human rights advocacy, peacemaking, education and information dissemination, [Page 2036]democracy training and political participation of citizens, sustainable development, environmental conservation, capacity building and community organizing, social movements, law and advocacy, citizens’ rights, research, training, provision of basic needs and services, community service, lobbying, and civil disobedience.

NGOs work at local, national, and international scales. They range in size from very small in terms of funding, geographic focus, and constituency to very large, with extensive funding, having geographically dispersed activities, and serving thousands of people. Regardless of the scale of their work, almost all NGOs are motivated by political or charitable ideals. Those NGOs motivated by charitable ideals seek to assist the neediest sections of society. NGOs motivated by political ideals strive to change society and remedy existing inequality. Most NGOs claim to act on behalf of the disenfranchised in today's globalized world. By siding with marginalized groups (e.g., women, slum residents, untouchables), they claim to speak for those who would not otherwise be heard.