During the latter half of the 20th century, non-governmental organizations experienced significant growth and development at both international and state levels. The creation of the UN Economic and Social Council and adoption of the UN Charter resulted in a rise of non-governmental organizations. These organizations worked in collaboration with ECOSOC to encourage and uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms through mutual consultations.
The growth of non-governmental organizations is an essential aspect of a society in transition, facilitating communication and cooperation between civil institutions and governing bodies.
Non-governmental organizations have been referred to as “barefoot revolutions” or “popular power” in studies conducted by the Club of Rome. According to research conducted by the United Nations and the Union of International Associations, there have been over 35,000 registered non-governmental organizations worldwide since 1875. They existed in diverse forms, both legal and organizational, including associations, societies, foundations, unions, committees, clubs, leagues, and conferences, each with its own unique legal status.
The human rights protection system is commonly described in textbooks and teaching aids as a combination of intrastate, extra-state, and interstate methods. Non-state means of addressing human right violations involve the involvement of non-governmental organizations or public associations, which are often referred to as the “third sector”. These organizations utilize both domestic and international resources to assist in the restoration or protection of violated human right. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are considered vital by many countries in the world community, as they are seen as an additional mechanism for regulating public relations within civil society. Governments provide support for the third non-governmental sector’s activities.
Non-governmental organizations have two main directions. The first is informal and focuses on developing and promoting new international law norms to address urgent development needs. The second involves putting pressure on governments to ensure they comply with international law obligations. NGOs also work towards democratization and solving global issues.
An analysis of the third sector reveals varying levels of funding and attitudes towards their activities among different states. The United States and European countries have a well-developed third sector, with governments providing financial support to non-governmental organizations.
In the United States, a significant portion of budget expenditures for social and cultural needs is allocated to non-governmental organizations, including a majority of federal spending on social welfare, culture, science, and humanitarian purposes. Additionally, there are over one million public organizations in the US with a budget equivalent to 9% of the country’s national product.
The non-governmental sector in Germany and France primarily relies on public funding for their income.
The United States is a leading force in the development of the non-governmental sector. Across 22 European countries, there are approximately three million non-governmental organizations and 100 thousand foundations. These organizations have a total turnover equivalent to 1.1 trillion US dollars, which is comparable to the gross national product of countries like Italy and Great Britain.
One of the goals of the European human rights system is to promote democratic development and support the implementation of human rights across different areas. The Commissioner for Human Rights interacts with both states and non-governmental organizations at international, regional, and local levels to achieve this objective.
NGOs in different states have varying directions. In Germany, they have traditionally acted as a means to connect different segments of the population, such as the wealthy and the disadvantaged, due to their effectiveness in addressing social issues compared to charity or patronage.
The UK has close to 200,000 registered charities, with the third sector playing a notable role in the economy.
Non-governmental organizations in the Netherlands play a significant role in domestic politics. Referendums and public hearings are frequently held at different levels, contributing to societal stability and preventing corporate entities from dominating critical issues at the national, provincial, and municipal levels.
NGOs in Eastern Europe are currently being established and their goal, according to experts, is to promote democratic progress.
Non-governmental organizations in Islamic countries, including Great Britain, Germany and Iran, have traditionally focused on charitable activities aimed at solving social problems for low-income segments of the population. The number of non-governmental organizations in Iran today is over 20,000.
The national development plan in India prioritizes the partnership between NGOs and the government to implement programs aimed at combating poverty, with a focus on charitable actions and events.
Several countries, such as Egypt, India, Bangladesh, Argentina, Ecuador, Japan, and South Korea, have implemented policies requiring executive approval for NGOs to register, and promoting public welfare must be a goal of the organization.
The growth of non-governmental organizations in Central Asia is linked to their socio-economic and political status. Governments in the region have implemented laws regulating NGOs that receive foreign funding and engage in political activities.
Based on our analysis of NGO activities in different countries, the following conclusions can be made:
- The United States is a prominent player in the development and operation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and often provides government funding for their various activities, which cover a broad range of socio-cultural, socio-economic, political, and other areas. The United States is also known for promoting democratic reforms and human rights globally, although this position has sparked criticism and protests from some countries who view it as meddling in their internal affairs;
- NGOs in the US and Western Europe play an active role in shaping state policy through various means such as promoting civil initiatives, lobbying, monitoring social relations, and identifying emerging problems. The relationship between the state and non-government sectors is well-established and conflicts in their activities are minimized;
- Several governments across different countries have implemented policies that require NGOs to contribute to public welfare. This includes countries such as Egypt, India, Bangladesh, Argentina, Ecuador, Japan, and South Korea;
- Certain countries, such as Egypt, India, Mexico, Nepal, Ethiopia, and Venezuela, have more rigorous regulations regarding foreign funding for NGOs, while other countries like Belarus and China have even implemented complete bans on such support measures for NGOs receiving outside funding efforts from foreign organizations within their borders;
- NGOs receiving foreign financial support primarily engage in socially-oriented projects within states where special legal regimes have been established.