Difference between revisions of "History of the NGO Sector"
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Despite the wars that created a spirit of fierce nationalism among peoples, international NGOs flourished in their scope, and membership. Before the First World War, members of NGOs were primarily from Europe and North America, but by the Second World War, participation had extended to all parts of the world. The Soviet Union, for example, refused to participate in international organizations because they were regarded as bourgeois institutions that served the interests of capitalists. Not everyone, however, agreed: the Labor and Socialist International organization in 1923 opposed the Comintern’s stance. | Despite the wars that created a spirit of fierce nationalism among peoples, international NGOs flourished in their scope, and membership. Before the First World War, members of NGOs were primarily from Europe and North America, but by the Second World War, participation had extended to all parts of the world. The Soviet Union, for example, refused to participate in international organizations because they were regarded as bourgeois institutions that served the interests of capitalists. Not everyone, however, agreed: the Labor and Socialist International organization in 1923 opposed the Comintern’s stance. | ||
| − | The expansion in the membership of international NGOs to include participants from all over the world can be seen in the growth of [[Women's NGOs|women’s organizations]]. Before 1919, membership in the various organizations such as the International Council of Women, International Alliance of Women, and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom was limited to Europe and North America. In the 1920s, national sections were created in Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. These sections joined the international bodies, which also created an international setting for the discussions on previously taboo topics such as birth control. | + | The expansion in the membership of international NGOs to include participants from all over the world can be seen in the growth of [[Women's NGOs|women’s organizations]]. Before 1919, membership in the various organizations such as the International Council of Women, International Alliance of Women, and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom was limited to Europe and North America. In the 1920s, national sections were created in [[Latin American and Caribbean|Latin America]], the Middle East and [[Asia]]. These sections joined the international bodies, which also created an international setting for the discussions on previously taboo topics such as birth control. |
In this period, American foundations began focusing their efforts internationally. During the first wave of their existence that focused principally on the advancement for formal knowledge, the Carnegie Corporation funded a 1932 project called the “Africa Industrialization Study.” The 350-page report, Modern Industry and the African, was touted as the “first comprehensive study” of Africa under the impact of European civilization. | In this period, American foundations began focusing their efforts internationally. During the first wave of their existence that focused principally on the advancement for formal knowledge, the Carnegie Corporation funded a 1932 project called the “Africa Industrialization Study.” The 350-page report, Modern Industry and the African, was touted as the “first comprehensive study” of Africa under the impact of European civilization. | ||
Revision as of 10:34, 6 August 2008
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as we know them today are generally thought to have come into existence around the mid-nineteenth century. It was only about a century later that the importance of NGOs was officially recognized by the United Nations. At the UN Congress in San Francisco in 1968, a provision was made in Article 71 of the Charter of the United Nations framework that qualified NGOs in the field of economic and social development to receive consultative status with the Economic and Social Council.
The development of modern NGOs has largely mirrored that of general world history, particularly after the Industrial Revolution. NGOs have existed in some form or another as far back as 25,000 years ago. Since 1850, more than 100,000 private, not-for-profit organizations with an international focus have been founded. The growth of NGOs really took off after the Second World War, with about 90 international NGOs founded each year, compared with about 10 each year in the 1890s. Only about 30 percent of early international NGOs have survived, although those organizations founded after the wars have had a better survival rate. Many more NGOs with a local, national or regional focus have been created, though like their international counterparts, not all have survived or have been successful.
This article presents an overview of the history of modern day NGOs, with particular emphasis on international organizations. It looks at the different causes that have been championed by NGOs as the events in world history have unfolded, from the aftermath of the Industrial Revolution to the World Wars and through the aftermath of the Cold War. It also looks at the evolution of the structure and purpose of NGOs as they have matured over the years.
