Monitoring Policy Making at the United Nations |
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General Analysis of the Role of NGOs
Also See GPF's Pages on:
Introduction to NGOs
Articles and Documents
2008 |2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1996
Global Civil Society 2005/2006
The London School of Economics and Political Sciences has launched the fourth volume of its civil society yearbook. It describes the nature and history of global civil society and includes issue-oriented case studies, important records and data, as well as articles on current issues. See also: Global Civil Society 2004/2005, Global Civil Society 2003, Global Civil Society 2002 and Global Civil Society 2001.
According to WEED, three Moon front groups operate as accredited NGOs at the UN and more have applied for NGO status. This paper raises questions about who should qualify for NGO status and what protections should be developed against well-financed charlatans. Click here for the PDF document.
An analysis that provides historical background and emphasizes NGOs' growing contemporary importance, diversity, impact on policy, etc.
A comprehensive and critical report that reviews recent progress and problems of NGOs at the UN. Prepared as input to the second report of the Secretary General. Includes comments on GPF's report.
This paper explores the main economic, social and political trends affecting the NGO world, and argues that these trends call for major changes in NGO roles, relationships, capacities and accountabilities. (NGO Café)
A narrative account of NGO access covering the period from 1996 to 1999 with many links to further information.2008
Aid Effectiveness: The Myth of NGO Superiority (April 2008)
This Development & Cooperation study examines why some NGOs from rich countries distribute aid to the world’s poorest no more effectively than official state agencies. The Swiss and Swedish NGOs under scrutiny in this paper replicated government policy, rather than channeling aid to areas overlooked by governmental development agencies. The paper concludes that NGOs would provide better-targeted aid if they undertook independent initiatives amongst the lowest income groups which governments fail to reach.2007
Stepping Beyond Civil Society: Prospects for the Multitudes of Resistance (April 5, 2007)
While "power elites" and states often claim that free markets and a globalized economy promote democracy, this Toward Freedom article argues that these systems actually widen North-South disparities. The author claims that "NGOs are often expected to fill in the gaps," however states repress and marginalize civil society. NGOs must partner and build strong networks in order to effect change.2006
Strengthening Democratic Governance: The Role of Civil Society (September 21, 2006)
This Wilton Park report delves into the challenges that grassroots organizations face in their efforts to promote government accountability and citizen participation. In their intertwined activities of advocacy, monitoring and providing services, NGOs often encounter government interference, unreasonable donor demands and questions about their own legitimacy. The report encourages NGOs to focus on attaining sustainable results and to "not be diverted" in their operations by such obstacles.Strengthening Global Civil Society (April 2006)
This report from the Institute for Public Policy Research urges that "global civil society" must create a "more level playing field for the global south," a region where NGOs typically lack resources and have largely been ignored. The author recommends strengthening southern organizations' research and policy analysis and promoting financial independence. The report also discusses the value of free media and access to information in pressuring governments and mobilizing public awareness.2005
How Civil Society Organisations Use Evidence to Influence Policy Processses (July 2005)
Academics and NGO experts have conducted extensive research on organizational aspects of NGOs. This approach tends to examine NGOs in a "vaccuum," and not in the broader context of international policy-making. The authors of this Overseas Development Institute paper reviewed existing literature on NGOs, with the aim of clarifying some of the tactics civil society employs in influencing public policy.2004
Learning in Partnerships (May 2004)
This BOND paper explores how NGOs in industrialized countries share resources and expertise with NGOs in less developed countries to achieve common development goals. The author warns that Northern NGOs can limit how much their Southern partners learn from this relationship if they impose corporate management principles of repetitive audits and reporting procedures. NGOs at the grassroots become less culturally diverse when they adopt corporate practices, and this removes them from the reality of the development problems they seek to tackle.2003
Civil Societies Role in Global Policy Making (May 2003)
This article discusses arguments for and against increasing civil society's engagement in global decision making. It outlines ways in which civil society has played an active role in global institutions and analyzes how effective this participation has been. (Alliance)The Global Accountancy Report: Power Without Accountability? (January 20, 2003)
One World Trust's report compares the accountability of Inter-Governmental Organizations, Trans-National Corporations and NGOs. The report assesses 18 major organizations, focusing on two crucial aspects of accountability: member control and access to information.2002
Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOS) and Third World Development: An Alternative Approach to Development (2002)
In regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, where governments and the private sector mutually fail to provide public goods, NGOs often step in to dispense services to marginalized groups. Through this NGO-led “third approach” to development, NGOs can alleviate poverty in an immediate fashion where corrupt elites seize government policy and market operations to harm the poor. (Journal of Third World Studies)Civil Society in Nepalese Context: Media perspective (November 27, 2002)
After a long period of stunted growth, the emergence of a multi-party democracy in Nepal has given civil society groups and NGOs a chance to flourish. Widespread access to a "vigilant and active" media system is an important factor in building a strong civil society, and lower technology costs have made this a viable possibility. (Nepal News)The State of Global Civil Society: Before and After September 11 (October 7, 2002)
This paper from Global Civil Society 2002 examines the state of civil society pre-9/11 within the framework of four important global civil society events. It then analyzes how different interpretations of the crisis shaped the responses of civil society, international organizations and governments. (London School of Economics)Global Injustice Hurts Development (September 20, 2002)
Post 9/11 curbs on civil liberties, visa restrictions and intolerance to criticism undermine civil society's efforts to promote sustainable development. (Mail & Guardian)In Africa, 'Little Guys' Help Bring Big Changes (September 19, 2002)
Throughout Africa, civil society groups play "an unprecedented role in strengthening African democracy." Civil society has supported Parliament and liberalized the press, among other successes. (Christian Science Monitor)The Role of NGOs in Human Security (May, 2002)
This Harvard research paper identifies improving development and protecting human rights as two vital ingredients in providing human security. It discusses effective ways for NGOs to achieve these goals and the obstacles which they must overcome. (Harvard University)Waiting for Godot (Spring/Summer 2002)
This article argues that the Ukrainian youth movement needs "an infusion of ideas and experiences" to strengthen the voice of young people in civil society. (NGO Net)2001
Central Role in Development for Thai NGOs? (December 2001)
Government downsizing in Thailand has opened the door for development NGOs to take a lead in social development. This paper looks at the growth of community-based organizations (CBOs), funding challenges, the relationship between CSOs and the government, and the future of CSOs in Thailand. (Alliance)The role of NGOs in the Age of a Democratic Civil Society (September 28, 2001)
Renate Bloem, president of the Coalition of NGOs, says that the globalization of problems must lead to the globalization of their solutions: NGOs can help to connect the local with the global.Democracy, Governance and European NGOs (March 2001)
This statement by the Platform of European Social NGOs outlines the value of NGOs and the role which they can play in the development of new forms of governance at a European level.2000
Transnational Actors and International Organizations in Global Politics (2000)
People assume too often that international relations consists only of relationships between states. In this chapter from The Globalisation of World Politics, Peter Willets argues that a complete understanding of political change must include the role of non-state actors, such as NGOs.Latin American Civil Society: Non-Governmental Organizations and Democracy (2000)
Douglas Chalmers, expert on Latin America and Columbia University professor, discusses the role of NGOs in representing the interests of Latin Americans. Growth of civil society especially works to include traditionally marginalized groups, such as women and indigenous peoples, in the democratic process. (Columbia University)Civil Society Organizations and Service Provision (October 2000)
This report provides an overall analysis of the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in providing services. It outlines the effects funding can have on accountability, the importance of government partnerships, and how CSOs can influence legislation. (UN Research Institute for Social Development)Civil Society, NGDOs and Social Development (January 2000)
This paper looks at the role and performance of Non-Governmental Development Organizations (NGDOs) in promoting social development. It examines the relationship between NGDOs, civil society groups, and aid recipients and outlines how the international aid system limits NGDOs' capacity for self-improvement. (UN Research Institute for Social Development)1999
3rd Assembly of the UN of the People, Perugia, Italy (September 23-25, 1999)
Excerpts from the Assembly's final document : "Role of the global civil society and local communities for peace, an economy of justice and international democracy".1998
Learning to Live with NGOs (Fall 1998)
P.J. Simmons attempts to define the role of NGOs in international civil society and determine the potential for NGO-nation state cooperation.Interview with Michael Edwards on the Future of NGOs (Fall 1998)
Michael Edwards discusses the "increasing links between NGOs, markets, and business...in terms of influencing economic forces".1996
NGOs and Global Policy-Making (June 1996)
An analysis by GPF Director James Paul, provides historical background and emphasizes NGOs growing contemporary importance, diversity, impact on policy, etc.The Paradox of Civil Society (1996)
An article from the Journal of Democracy which contemplates how to distinguish between political associations and the political activities of groups in civil society, from interest groups to religious bodies.
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