Difference between revisions of "History of the NGO Sector"
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Another form of non-profit organization, trusts, also existed during ancient times. Small trust funds called vaqfs for charitable purposes existed in ancient Persia over a thousand years ago. Trusts also existed in other societies, though not all of them have been for “philanthropic” causes: in fifteenth century England, the Week’s Charity was created to purchase firewood for burning heretics. | Another form of non-profit organization, trusts, also existed during ancient times. Small trust funds called vaqfs for charitable purposes existed in ancient Persia over a thousand years ago. Trusts also existed in other societies, though not all of them have been for “philanthropic” causes: in fifteenth century England, the Week’s Charity was created to purchase firewood for burning heretics. | ||
| − | Foundations, another [[Types of NGOs by Focus|type of NGO]], existed in Europe before the Revolutionary War in [[France NGO Sector|France]]. However, they were eliminated after 1789, when King Louis XVI was overthrown and the state began to assume greater responsibility over the welfare of its peoples. Since then, foundations in Europe have been few and far between, unlike their [[US | + | Foundations, another [[Types of NGOs by Focus|type of NGO]], existed in Europe before the Revolutionary War in [[France NGO Sector|France]]. However, they were eliminated after 1789, when King Louis XVI was overthrown and the state began to assume greater responsibility over the welfare of its peoples. Since then, foundations in Europe have been few and far between, unlike their [[US Nonprofit Sector, Tax Benefits, WANGO Survey|American]] counterparts, which have grown in prominence in the twentieth century. |
The most prevalent form of early NGOs has been voluntary associations. Many were founded by religious groups, such as the Irish Protestants in 1647 who sent food to North America to aid settlers who were victims of wars with Native Americans. In the late eighteenth century in America, many associations were formed during a period of industrialization and modernization, particularly in the Northeast. In 1840, after a long visit to America, the French philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville had observed that these associations seemed to be peculiarly an “American” type of group and activity. In Democracy in America, Tocqueville wrote:<ref>Alexis de Tocqueville, 1966, ''Democracy in America''. (Harper & Row, 1966). p. 485-488.</ref> | The most prevalent form of early NGOs has been voluntary associations. Many were founded by religious groups, such as the Irish Protestants in 1647 who sent food to North America to aid settlers who were victims of wars with Native Americans. In the late eighteenth century in America, many associations were formed during a period of industrialization and modernization, particularly in the Northeast. In 1840, after a long visit to America, the French philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville had observed that these associations seemed to be peculiarly an “American” type of group and activity. In Democracy in America, Tocqueville wrote:<ref>Alexis de Tocqueville, 1966, ''Democracy in America''. (Harper & Row, 1966). p. 485-488.</ref> | ||
Revision as of 09:42, 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.
