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No. 1 16 January 2003
Definitions for NGO Monitor
“Through their obsession with power and influence, and a simplistic approach to the complex ecosystem of nongovernmental organizations, political scientists have reinforced the inability of the international community to appreciate how influence is systematically articulated on global issues.”
Source: World Bank Development Report
Defining an NGO
Most simply, 'NGO' is an abbreviation, which stands for Non-Governmental Organization.
Some people confuse the term with a 'non profit organization' or a 'non-commercial company.' Indeed, all NGOs are, by definition, non-profit organizations. In its widest possible sense, the term NGO can be applied to any non-profit organization independent of government. A non-profit organization includes any business, organization or trust that is legally incorporated but is neither run nor maintained for the purpose of making a profit nor for the personal benefit of any member.
However, this definition presents a problem because it includes a vast number of organizations which are both structurally and functionally unrelated. Research institutes, charities, lobby groups, religious communities, professional groups and community associations all match this definition in addition to trade unions, trade associations, professional societies and even illegal bodies such as organized cartels linked to crime rings.
Therefore, the term NGO should be used to describe specifically autonomous, value-based organizations with non-commercial and non-party political objectives, which support themselves, in whole or in part, through the means of generous donors and voluntary service. An NGO exists to push its cause but also to remain honest and focused on its stated objectives.
The World Bank identifies two main groups of NGOs:
Advocacy NGOs
These are NGOs pushing for certain policies or ideas that address specific concerns. Examples include human rights NGOs who seek to influence government practice or socio-economic groups, seeking to change society.
Operational NGOs
These provide a particular function in society such as providing a service or meeting a particular need, be it health care, famine relief or social counseling.
Both categories can operate on a community, national or international level. Naturally, there is overlap between the two types of NGOs described above. However, it is important that an NGO decides whether it is purely operational or has an advocacy dimension so that one can have an idea as to the degree of social activism or politicization.
The Role of an NGO
Defining an NGO is itself no small task but defining its role has become a hazardous minefield. NGOs are interest groups. Akin to political parties, they exist to function with a specific agenda. Nevertheless, an NGO is not a political party. They have a responsibility not only to their target constituency but also to the organizations they are lobbying, their donors and importantly, the general public. If an organization engages in research and deliberately chooses to distort contexts, to misquote or to go beyond its declared brief, then the whole concept of civil society (see below for a definition of civil society) becomes a threat to democracy. NGOs cannot be voted out as can political parties.
NGOs are increasingly becoming the first port of call for journalists, researchers and even government policy makers. The rebound effect of their research and reports is immense and their focus allows for specialized knowledge and insights. Many NGOs have been successful in attracting a highly educated and motivated workforce. News channels increasingly fill their 'expert' lists of consultants with NGO figures. University students find NGOs an inspiring resource to equip themselves with information, as do government researchers and policy makers.
NGOs also absorb immense amounts of funding from governments, private trusts and individuals. The UN estimates that NGOs distribute some $7.6 billion in aid every year.
At the same time, apart from satisfying donors and guaranteeing their resources, NGOs are subject to frighteningly little accountability. Not only does the nature and quality of individual NGOs vary, so do their motivations. If a defining characteristic of NGOs is that they are interest groups, how does one know whom to trust? Where is the dividing line between an advocacy NGO and a political party? NGO Monitor hopes to provide a degree of accountability.
What is Civil Society and What Kind of Function Does it Have?
Many believe that the role of NGOs is to form a 'civil society' as a complement to a democratic state. This takes the form of a tapestry of competing groups acting as a democratic counter to government by representing specific interests, which do not necessarily feature on the government's agenda. In other words, civil society satisfies two competing human instincts -- the need to feel part of wider society and the need to address one's own needs as an individual in a community. Therefore civil society can act as a mediator between a state and its citizens. Moreover, it is also a means of developing identities and activism through organized political activities distinct from political parties.
The Pluses of NGOs
- Specialization and focus in addressing specific needs of sub-groups in society
- Strong grassroots links and field-based expertise motivating individuals to act as citizens rather than being depending on state power
- Creating an alternative to centralized state agencies
- Promoting pluralism and diversity in society by protecting and strengthening particular cultural, ethnic, religious, linguistic interests
- Creating more accountability for the actions of governments
The Minuses of NGOs
- NGOs subject to few checks and balances
- Risk of politicization by political or governmental interests
- Conflicting perceptions of the role of nonprofit bodies, notably perception of them as propaganda vehicles for specific campaigns
- Human rights issues advocated by groups with limited membership or narrow perspective can lead to unacceptable practices
- Need for self-publicity and justification could lead to fraudulent practices both by associations and by government agencies supporting them. Inordinate amount of time spent fundraising
- Limited financial and management expertise and limited institutional capacity
- Isolation/lack of inter-organizational communication can lead to small scale interventions
- Overly focused, risking lack of understanding broader context
Types of NGOs to be Covered in this Report and Background Histories
International NGOs
Some people now use the term INGOs 'international non-governmental organizations.' This group includes a range of organizations, which have become household names; Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Save the Children, Oxfam, Physicians for Human Rights inter alia. Their annual budgets run into hundreds of millions of dollars. Over the last few decades they have built up considerable contacts and professionalism. Especially in the age of the internet, their reach extends to hundreds of millions.
It should be noted that INGOs have no legal status within the framework of international law. The absence of such legislation means that INGOs operate within their own self-imposed code of responsibilities. This gives such organizations a huge degree of autonomy and authority. But where is the accountability? Who analyzes their output and how is it criticized. What exactly is its reach and its impact? How are themes chosen? Are all regions of the world judged under the same microscope?
Israeli NGOs, both in the Jewish and Arab Sector
Israel has a flourishing civil society. This includes hundreds of Arab-run NGOs. After the Oslo peace process, there was a huge growth spurt resulting in some hundreds of NGOs being founded.
Many have attracted controversy. The charge has been made that many people running these NGOs are 'failed politicians', seeking another platform from which to launch their public careers. With funding so available (until a few years ago), the opportunity of setting up one's own province was tempting. There does no doubt as to the professionalism of many of these organizations, including Musawa, Adalah and the Arab Association of Human Rights. The question is however, what is the not-so-apparent political or ideological agenda behind these organizations. Does their research output match their mission statements? Do they accurately represent facts and information in the right context?
National NGOs with an Ideological Bias not articulated in their Mission Statement
There are many organizations which succeed in attracting regular press interviews and present themselves as respectable experts when in fact they are engaged in overt political activities.
West Bank and Gaza Strip NGOs
NGOs in the West Bank and Gaza operate separately from Arab NGOs in the sovereign territory of Israel. Their numbers run into the hundreds. Many have undergone vociferous criticism for not being critical enough of corruption in the Palestinian Authority. They produced report after report on Jewish settlements, house demolitions by the Israeli army and checkpoints. Human rights abuses by the Palestine Authority, on the other hand, receive scant coverage.
'NGO Monitor' will analyze the output of these organizations in line with their mission statements.
Middle Eastern NGOs
These are very limited in number. This is because of the power of the autocratic state in the Arab world. For this reason, it is unlikely that they will receive much coverage in 'NGO Monitor.' Nevertheless, 'NGO Monitor' will actively seek the way information is presented, especially as regards human rights organizations, both in terms of what is said and what is not said.
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