Session Date
Lesson Topic
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) as International Political Actors
Lesson Outline
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is typically a very large organizations with a global scope and multinational members and staff. The NGO definition is very broad and encompasses many kinds of organizations. What NGOs are is often used interchangeably with non-profit organizations, but they are not necessarily the same: all NGOs are nonprofits, but not all nonprofits are considered NGOs. A nonprofit can be any size and operate in any geographic area with any mission, as long as it serves a public good. What NGOs do depends upon their mission. Some missions are humanitarian or to promote some social cause. Some types of NGOs receive government funding, but all operate as not-for-profit entities focused on a mission or goal. This differentiates NGOs from corporations, whose primary motive is profit. International NGOs may work in tandem with corporations or government institutions, such as the United States Agency for Development (USAID), which funds NGOs and local non-profits to conduct numerous activities to promote economic and community development in countries outside the U.S. Notable NGO examples include Greenpeace, whose mission is environmental protection, Wikileaks, focused on internet privacy; Amnesty International, which is an advocacy NGO that is focused on human rights; Doctors Without Borders, which provides medical personnel and equipment for public health crises; Oxfam, is focused on promoting equality to reduce poverty and prevent or mitigate food insecurity. The International Committee of the Red Cross/Red Crescent (ICRC) is an operational NGO that provides population support needed from disasters or conflicts. In addition, this NGO plays a role in emergency planning. The largest NGO in the world is the United Nations, whose agencies provide support including peace keeping operations, refugee and internally displaced persons and other humanitarian aid, public health policy and implementation, food aid, global development, and many other forms of human security activities, research, education, monitoring, and advocacy.
Session Minutes
45
Minutes Student Attended
45
Lesson Comments
Remote lesson today.
Session Hours
0.75
Hours Attended
0.75
Entry Status
Review Status
Student Name(s)
School