Professional Documents
Culture Documents
In this Session
Learn how NGOs participate in the
intergovernmental arena, including the
negotiation of MEAs. Consider the value of
NGO roles.
Defining NGOs
3000
NGOs in Consultative Status
2613
2500
2379
2234
2151
2000 2050
1938
1500 1505
1184
1000 1041
886
784
744
500
180
0 40
1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Year
NGOs in Intergovernmental
Processes
4 important functions:
Setting agendas
Negotiating outcomes
Conferring legitimacy
Implementing solutions
Role of NGOs in MEAs
Enhancing the knowledge base
Advocacy and lobbying
Membership in national delegations
Contribution to compliance review and enforcement as
well as dispute settlement procedures
Ensuring transparency
Supporting international secretariats
Broader functions of NGOs in international
environmental governance
UNEP’s approach to CS
Service-delivery – organizations that develop, monitor and
implement projects/programmes or services; these CSOs are often
based at the grassroots level or work closely with community-based
organizations (CBOs).
Representation – organizations that aggregate citizen voices; these
include CSO umbrella and network organizations and indigenous
peoples’ groups.
Advocacy and policy inputs – organizations that provide expertise
and lobby on particular issues; these include think-tanks, research-
oriented institutions and “watchdog” institutions.
Capacity building – organizations that provide support to other
CSOs, including funding, training and raising awareness; these
institutions include foundations and major NGOs.
Social functions – organizations that foster collective social activities,
including religious groups.
Considering the role of NGOs
The following quotes suggest some different opinions of the role of NGOs. What do
you think?
[B] social
movements take [D] the rise of the global
an unlikely idea, idiots … any group with a
make it seem fax machine and a modem
feasible, and then has the potential to distort
put it into public debate .
practice.
In Summary
Terminology around NGOs varies. They are defined by the UN
as ‘non-profit citizens’ voluntary entities organized nationally or
internationally.’
A range of other terms are used almost interchangeably,
particularly ‘stakeholders’, ‘civil society’ and ‘major groups’.
NGOs have been involved in the UN since its inception; the rate
of involvement has grown exponentially. Different agencies of
the UN have their own accreditation arrangements (see Module
Seven).
NGOs bring knowledge and information, new issues and expert
advice to intergovernmental negotiations and can play different
roles, including:
In Summary
Setting agendas
Negotiating outcomes (by proposing alternative
language and solutions)
Conferring legitimacy
Implementing solutions
Sometimes, a choice has to be made about
working ‘inside’ or ‘outside’ official processes.
Both have pro’s and con’s, and the decision
needs to be taken carefully.