Ngo Essay

NGOs are challenging to define and classify, and the term ‘NGO’ is not utilized consistently. As a result, there are various categories in usage. The most common usage a framework that consists of orientation and level of operation. An NGO’s orientation describes the type of activities it handles. These activities might include human rights, environmental, or development work. An NGO’s level of operation shows the scale at which an organization works, such as regional, worldwide or nationwide. “Confronting the Classification Issue: Towards a Taxonomy of NGOs” One of the earliest discusses of the acronym “NGO” was in 1945, when the UN was developed.

The UN, which is an inter-governmental organization, made it possible for certain approved specialized international non-state agencies – or non-governmental organisations – to be awarded observer status at its assemblies and some of its meetings. Later the term became used more widely. Today, according to the UN, any kind of private organization that is independent from government control can be termed an “NGO”, provided it is not-profit, non-criminal and not simply an opposition political party.

Although Willetts proposes the operational and campaigning NGOs as a tool to differentiate the main activities of these organizations, he also explains that a single NGO may often be engaged in both activities. Many NGOs also see them as mutually reinforcing.