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NGOs and the United Nations’ Millennium Goals

NGOs and the United Nations’ Millennium Goals. Lesson Objectives. By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Define/explain/understand why NGOs are important. Understand how NGOs work with the UN. Identify challenges and issues concerned with the future of NGOs. What is an NGO?.

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NGOs and the United Nations’ Millennium Goals

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  1. NGOs and the United Nations’ Millennium Goals

  2. Lesson Objectives By the end of this lesson you will be able to: • Define/explain/understand why NGOs are important. • Understand how NGOs work with the UN. • Identify challenges and issues concerned with the future of NGOs.

  3. What is an NGO? A non-governmental organization (NGO) is independent from government control, not for profit, and often value based. The UN created the term in 1945 to describe non-governmental organizations but still participated in UN proceedings.

  4. NGO Facts • The number of NGOs has increased at exponential rates in recent decades. • The history of NGOs dates back to the 1800s. • One of the first NGOs was the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade based in London,1787. (Right: A picture of their emblem.)

  5. Size and Scope of NGOs • NGOs can be international, national, or local. • Local NGOs are also referred to as nonprofits, community based, or grass root organizations. • Budgets can range from $25,000 (Grain Project) to $800 million (Intl. Red Cross).

  6. Why is the term NGO becoming more prevalent? • In 1900, there were approximately 200 active NGOs. Today there are approx. 30,000 international NGOs (INGOs) in the U.S. alone. • There are even more domestic NGOs in the U.S • Other countries are experiencing similar trends. • Growth in the INGO numbers correlates with globalization.

  7. What do NGOs do? NGOs address problems neglected by governments/for-profit organizations, which are overlooked for many reasons, such as: • Lack of profit made in providing the product/service. • Transcending international borders so governments are reluctant/unable to take control. • Government/multi-national corporation might be the perpetrator.

  8. The Majority of NGOs • 60% of NGOs are concerned with business/economic activities, scientific knowledge, technical standards, etc. • Ex: The International Standard Organization (ISO) is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The ISO seeks to create technical standards between its 157 member countries. • These NGOs are usually not well known.

  9. Prominent NGOs • The NGOs that are most well known make up less than 15% of the NGO population and are concerned with individual rights, welfare and the world polity. • Ex: Amnesty International, Save the Children, Sierra Club. • These NGOs seek publicity for their success depends on a high public profile.

  10. Where do NGOs get their resources? Increasingly, NGOs have special full-time, paid fund development teams. Resources come from a variety of sources: • Private Grants • Individual Donations • Government Grants • Volunteers

  11. NGO Facts • Some NGOs are able to receive benefits in their country of origin. • Many NGOs are allowed tax deductible donations plus other benefits.

  12. Who are NGO Activists? • Social entrepreneurs are people who have a vision, practical abilities, and a drive to solve social problems. • Examples include NGO directors, employees, and volunteers. • E.g. Muhammad Yunus

  13. Why are NGOs important? • Domestic NGOs offer a variety of services that are not offered by government or private companies. • Many governments have come to rely on these organizations to provide health/human services.

  14. INGOs • International NGOs have become major players in the international arena. • In many developing countries, INGOs offer services like health care, education, and infrastructure development. • INGOs are also active in human rights, democratization, & conflict negotiation.

  15. NGOs and the United Nations • NGOs play an integral role in the UN. • If NGOs meet a certain criteria, they are formally recognized by the UN. These NGOs are able to not only attend UN meetings but participate in proceedings to a varying extent.

  16. NGOS and the UN (contd.) • The UN relies on NGOs to gather data, share their expertise, and help implement/monitor programs. • Ex: The 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was driven by children’s rights groups like “Save the Children International”.

  17. Challenges Faced by NGOs • One of the greatest challenges faced by NGOs is resource acquisition, relying on outside support sources. • The number of NGOs are increasing and being forced to compete for resources. • NGO accountability is weak. They do not need to report to a central authority resulting in doubt on their credibility.

  18. Challenges Faced by NGOs • There is a trend for NGOs to pay larger salaries in order to recruit and maintain professional, well-educated staff. This can be difficult since they are often on a tight budget. • According to a Newsweek article, the president and CEO of the American Red Cross makes $450,000 a year!

  19. The Future of NGOs • Competition between NGOs is problematic. • There must be a greater effort to empower and educate local groups and individuals. • NGOs need to actively work to shape economic, political, and social forces that create such disparities in our world.

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