NGOs
“Non-Governmental Organizations”
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a non-profit group that functions independently of any government. NGOs, sometimes called civil societies, are organized on community, national and international levels to serve a social or political goal such as humanitarian causes or the environment.
The term is generally accepted to include non-profit, private organizations that operate outside of government control. Some NGOs rely primarily on volunteers, while others support a paid staff. The World Bank identifies two broad groups of NGOs:
Operational NGOs, which focus on the design and implementation of development projects.
Advocacy NGOs, which defend or promote a specific cause and seek to influence public policy.
‘First International NGO’
“Non-governmental organizations started emerging during the 18th century. The ‘Anti-Slavery Society’, formed in 1839, is the first international NGO. This organization had a profound impact on society, and it stimulated the founding of many other NGOs since opening its doors. Of note, many civil societies began to form as a result of wars. For example, the ‘Red Cross’ formed after the Franco-Italian war in the 1860s, ‘Save the Children’ began after World War I and ‘Oxfam’ and ‘CARE’ started after World War II. The term non-governmental organization emerged after the Second World War when the United Nations wanted to differentiate between “intergovernmental specialized agencies and private organizations.”
How NGOs are Funded
As non-profits, NGOs rely on a variety of sources for funding, including:
Membership dues
Private donations
The sale of goods and services
Grants
Types of NGOs
A number of variations of the NGO acronym exist, including:
INGO: An international NGO. For example, the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe is comprised of more than 300 participating INGOs.
GONGO: This means government-organized NGO, often derogatory. Foreign Policy describes GONGOs as a government-backed NGOs set up to advocate on the behalf of a repressive regime in the international arena.
QUANGO: Chiefly a British term, often derogatory. A quango is a quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization that relies on public funding. Its senior officials are appointed by the government. A Financial Times opinion piece writes that quangos are seen as useless and are often staffed by quangocrats.
ENGO: An environmental NGO, for example, Greenpeace or the World Wildlife Fund. Both groups operate internationally in addition to advocating for the environment. They are often simply referred to as NGOs.
Famous NGOs Working in Pakistan
Famous NGOs Working in Pakistan are_
Edhi Foundation
Ansar Burney Trust International
Darul Sakun
Saylani Welfare International Trust
Chhipa Welfare Association
JDC Welfare Organization
WWF
Edhi Foundation is the biggest name in Pakistan’s Non Government Organization. It is one of the best social welfare service providers across the world running on non-commercial, non-political and non-communal basis.
“The happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others.”
Some Key Points
NGOs, or non-governmental organizations, play a major role in international development, aid and philanthropy.
NGOs are non-profit by definition, but may run budgets of millions or up to billions of dollars each year.
NGOs rely on a variety of funding sources from private donations and membership dues to government contribution.
“To a social worker working for other is not a job, it is a joy.” 🙂
