Non-governmental organisation (NGO) have an important role on International Relations in this era. their work vary from charities, associations, lobbying groups etc. In general, they are the pressure groups and the interest groups, which are independent from any governmental involvement in its running and finance. As well it is not profitable like companies and corporations. Therefore, these groups rely entirely from donations they receive from benefactors. Some NGOs are very successful economically like Green Peace, which it has offices in many countries and have a big work force. Moreover, NGOs like we already mentioned, do not accept funding from governments, political parties, or corporations. Their job is to investigate, expose and confront any abuses that occurs in any field they covered. It depends of each organisation speciality. They are recognised by the UN and they do consultative work for the international organisation departments. The UN laid the platform for them to grow in numbers, there is more than two thousands NGOs recognised by the UN now days. NGOs job varies from different fields of concern, they cover issues like the environment, world poverty, women’s rights, racism, etc.
Many oppressed minorities in the world rely on the help of NGOs to carry their concerns to the international community. Some groups depends entirely on them, like the Polisario in Western Sahara. They are the last colonised country in Africa. moreover, they have only minor representations in the big capitals and some countries know only what NGOs collect and report about them. The Tibetans matter as well rely on NGOs organisations which are concerned about them. NGOs are pushing and lobbying in their governments to put pressure on China for the release their oppressed people. The NGOs played big role in changing world regulations on environment, aid and refugees rights. They became very important, popular and much trusted by publics, therefore, many world organisations start to see their importance nationally and internationally, they seeking to build good relations with them to gain some of their legitimacy.
The UN definition of an acceptable NGO
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) statute and the way it has been applied embodies six principles:
• An NGO should support the aims and the work of the UN. However, it is very rare that objections are made to political purposes of NGOs.
• Officially, an NGO should be representative body, with identifiable headquarters, and officers who are responsible to a democratic policy-making conference. In practice, many highly prestigious NGOs, particularly development and environment NGOs, are not membership organisations.
• An NGO cannot be a profit-making body. Individual companies cannot gain consultative status, but trade federations of commercial interests are recognised as NGOs.
• An NGO cannot use or advocate violence.
• An NGO must respect the norm of ‘non-interference in the internal affairs of states’. This means an NGO cannot be a political party, but parties can, like companies, form international federations. Also, NGOs concerned with human rights should not restrict their activities to a particular group, nationality, or country.
• An international NGO is one that is not established by intergovernmental agreement. (Peter Willetts in Baylis and Smith.2008.The Globalisation of World Politics. Chapter 19. Pp.340)
It would be interesting if you could elaborate more on how exactly you see the role of NGOs in diplomacy, as your blog entry outlines more of the general tasks of NGOs. I like your examples of the two minority groups which do not have the resources to represent their voice loudly enough to be heard by the international community and therefore profit from the support of NGO. However, to what extent should NGOs support or represent them in the diplomatic conduct? It can be argued that especially Western NGOs representing small minorities groups in the developing world is a form of "Western imperalism". Would it not be more desirable if NGOs would just provide the resources for these groups/states to represent themselves in other countries through their own diplomats?
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, I am not sure if it is correct to say that Greenpeace is "economically successful" as it is supposed to be a charitable, non-profit organisation. You can maybe say that the large amount of donations they receiving from the public reflects their entrenchment in civil society.
Thanks for your comments Carolin. First, I think you are right in saying that I did not offer a rather detailed and exact explanation of the NGOs role in Diplomacy in my entry. I should have explored it thoroughly.
ReplyDeleteHowever, regarding the examples I gave and how NGOs which are mainly western but not governmental and represent the Human Rights values rather than western imperialism, should represent minorities internationally by making them internationally heard through their channels and protecting their Human rights.
Finally, what I meant by the Green Peace ‘economically successful’ is how it became powerful organisation although it does rely only on donations but did not stop them campaigning everywhere in the world, from the north pole to the south pole, in the open oceans to the extremely dangerous deserts, and from the rain forest of Asian countries to the rain forest in south America. To achieve that you need an economic management experts that will eventually share the success of Green Peace as an organisation.
I think its great that you have highlighted what an important and influential role NGOs play in global politics today. What I would have liked to have known is what opinion you think governmental bodies have of NGOs as diplomats? I'm glad you acknowledge that NGOs act outside of governmental parameters and control but I do feel governmental actors appreciate their importance in diplomacy which is why even though they do not control them, they do like to particpate with them on some issues.
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