In the realm of international relations, non-governmental actors play a significant role in diplomatic communication, serving as important components of modern diplomacy. International NGOs are crucial in multilateral diplomacy, serving as necessary contact points that may be absent due to bureaucratic regulations in contemporary international politics. They function to some degree as bridges that span the gaps created by this “bureaucratization”.
Society operates through a combination of government structure and member self-organization.
The growth of non-state actors, including transnational actors like international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), is a reflection of society’s self-organization. The development of NGOs has been steadily increasing since the early 1900s, with Europe and America being home to over 100 pacifist public organizations. Governments have historically been wary of non-state organizations lacking official state status.
Following the First World War, the League of Nations began engaging with representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) during its meetings. This trend continued into the early 1950s, when international non-governmental organizations emerged as a significant, yet relatively uncharted territory in the field of international relations.
During the latter half of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first century, there was a rise in the number of non-governmental entities. This increase in transnational actors brought about new labels, including third sector organizations, non-profit organizations, volunteer organizations, civil society organizations, social movement organizations, and self-help organizations.
The legal and financial considerations of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
There has been a growing recognition of the importance of defining the legal status of non-governmental organizations. At first, they were seen only as a component of international relations. Some legal experts disagreed with giving NGOs subject status, arguing that their role was not to challenge state sovereignty, but to build horizontal relationships across borders.
The European Convention on the Recognition by Legal Persons of International Non-Governmental Organizations was adopted in 1986 after discussions in the Council of Europe. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe created a document in 2003 titled “Fundamental Principles on the Status of Non-Governmental Organizations in Europe” based on this Convention. The document emphasizes that NGO structures should be democratic, not hierarchical like some military or religious associations or secret societies. An NGO is considered international if it has at least two foreign members and is open to all who meet its activity requirements. NGOs position themselves as non-profit organizations, but can engage in commercial activities as long as the profits are used for their goals.
The NGO relies on contributions from associate members and operates under the laws of its governing country. It is important for the organization to maintain independence in its actions, regardless of any state funding it may receive.
Non-government organizations with an international scope are currently involved in network diplomacy as participants.
The changing global landscape, with factors such as the rise of international actors and advancements in technology, has resulted in a blending of domestic and foreign policies. NGOs are increasingly taking on roles that were traditionally held by states in various areas of international cooperation.
In recent times, “track two diplomacy” has emerged as a strategy involving specialized individuals who engage in establishing connections, fostering collaboration, conducting informal discussions, and aiding in conflict resolution. Non-government organizations are also recognized as a crucial element of “soft power”.
The rise in the number of organizations granted consultative status with the UN indicates the recognition of NGOs’ significance in global politics.
NGOs are playing a growing role in areas previously handled by official diplomacy. This requires creative state thinking and a change in traditional approaches. Some believe professional diplomacy will focus only on “high politics”, like preserving peace and protecting modern national interests. NGOs will handle alliances and coalitions to cooperate in the economy, environmental protection, and humanitarianism. The distinction between “high” and ordinary politics may become increasingly arbitrary.
Are NGOs free from the pain points of our time?
NGOs are facing problems with corruption, including bribery, nepotism, and embezzlement. This undermines the reputation of the organizations and lowers the level of trust from sponsors and the public. This prevents those who need assistance from getting access to it. Questions arise about the transparency of NGO budget expenditures. DanChurchAid, the largest Danish organization, strives for transparency in its budgeting and reports on corruption annually, listing all scandalous cases that occurred over the past year.
The financing of NGOs is concerning. They have large budgets, but it’s unclear if they use their funds to meet their policy objectives. This warrants further investigation. About 56% of NGOs have a leader linked to weapons production, and 54% have ties to the tobacco industry. It’s noteworthy that 59% of NGO leaders are from the banking sector.
According to the Council of Europe’s documents, NGO governance should not discriminate based on geography or nationality. At present, the majority of NGOs (72%) have their headquarters located in the Western world, with North America accounting for 36% and Europe accounting for 33%. NGOs that operate in Africa and the Middle East make up 35% of the total, while those operating in Asia make up 20%, and Latin America and the Caribbean make up 5%. NGO activities are distributed among different regions, with Europe accounting for 18% and North America and Oceania combined making up 5%. Countries belonging to the “majority world” are also included. There is a disparity in the representation of Africans and Asians in governing bodies of organizations, with only 8% and 14% respectively. Additionally, these groups tend to have higher educational attainment from Western universities. Globalization and civil society are expected to cause changes in the indicators of the “world of the majority.”
What is the future of NGOs?
NGOs are expected to increase as civil society becomes more active in each country and its role in global affairs grows. Loosely-organized groups within civil society may also emerge to pursue political objectives and shape public opinion. These groups disband once their goal is achieved. It is unclear if this system will be effective at improving the world.