Difference between revisions of "History of the NGO Sector"
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Most of these early international NGOs shared a similar structure: they had a small membership base and had permanent central offices with a secretariat. A few organizations merely had a permanent committee. Nearly all were governed by a constitution and [[How to Start an NGO|by-laws]], with the majority of international NGOs composed of national groups whose members were private citizens.<ref>White, p. 9.</ref> | Most of these early international NGOs shared a similar structure: they had a small membership base and had permanent central offices with a secretariat. A few organizations merely had a permanent committee. Nearly all were governed by a constitution and [[How to Start an NGO|by-laws]], with the majority of international NGOs composed of national groups whose members were private citizens.<ref>White, p. 9.</ref> | ||
| − | Early international NGOs also worked closely with governments. The International Red Cross (IRC), established in 1863, appealed to the Swiss government to convene an international congress to improve the treatment of the war wounded. Throughout the years, the IRC broadened its scope to include the relief of suffering in times of [[Peace and Conflict NGOs|peace]] as well as in war, health [[ | + | Early international NGOs also worked closely with governments. The International Red Cross (IRC), established in 1863, appealed to the Swiss government to convene an international congress to improve the treatment of the war wounded. Throughout the years, the IRC broadened its scope to include the relief of suffering in times of [[Peace and Conflict NGOs|peace]] as well as in war, health [[Educational NGOs|education]] and [[Humanitarian NGOs|disaster relief]]. During the wars, the organization also took on a political stance: “the IRCC urged the belligerent countries to adopt measures calculated to lessen the terrible consequences of the war.”<ref>Op. cit. The IRCC and Its Missions Abroad (1918-1923), p. 15-16 in White, p. 187.</ref> |
The influence of international NGOs may be best demonstrated in the resulting organizations that were formed. Its efforts at peace paved the way for the creation of the League of Nations. The international law societies and the IPU laid the foundation for the World Court. Labor-themed organizations led to the creation of the International Labor Organization. The influence of the International Free Trade Union led to the founding of the Nansen International Office for Refugees. | The influence of international NGOs may be best demonstrated in the resulting organizations that were formed. Its efforts at peace paved the way for the creation of the League of Nations. The international law societies and the IPU laid the foundation for the World Court. Labor-themed organizations led to the creation of the International Labor Organization. The influence of the International Free Trade Union led to the founding of the Nansen International Office for Refugees. | ||
Revision as of 10:02, 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.
