A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an organization that is not
part of a government and was not founded by states. NGOs are therefore
typically independent of governments. NGOs are usually non-profit organizations
that gain at least a portion of their funding from private sources.
A 1995 UN report on global governance estimated that there are nearly 29,000
international NGOs. National numbers are even higher: The United States has an
estimated 2 million NGOs, most of them formed in the past 30 years.
Though voluntary associations of citizens have existed throughout history, NGOs
along the lines seen today, especially on the international level, have
developed in the past two centuries. One of the first such organizations, the
International Committee of the Red Cross, was founded in 1863.
The phrase non-governmental organization came into use with the establishment
of the United Nations in 1945. The definition of international NGO (INGO) is
first given in resolution 288 (X) of ECOSOC on February 27, 1950: it is defined
as 'any international organisation that is not founded by an international
treaty'.
Globalization
during the 20th century gave rise to the importance of NGOs. They have been developed
to emphasize humanitarian issues, developmental aid and sustainable
development. A prominent example of this is the World Social Forum.
COMPREHENSION
1. Decide if these statements are true or
false; then, justify your answer.
a. NGO stands for Non-German
Organizations.
Truer Falser
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b. NGO’s belong to governments.
Truer Falser
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c. The International Committee of the Red
Cross was the first NGO.
Truer Falser
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2. Answer the following questions
briefly, in your own words as far as possible.
a. Do NGO’s
belong to governments?
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b. How many international NGO’s in the world?
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c. How many NGO’s does
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d. Why have NGO’s been developed?
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3. Tick the most appropriate
explanation of the word written in bold letters.
a)
A
non-governmental organization (NGO) is an organization that is
not part of a government and was not founded by states. ( paragraph 1, Line 1)
r A set of decisions about how to do something in the future
r A group of countries, political
parties or people who have agreed to work together because of shared interests
or aims.
r
A group of people who work together in a structured
way for a shared purpose.
b) NGOs
are therefore typically independent of
governments. ( paragraph 1, Line 2)
r Not influenced or controlled in any way by other people, events or
things.
r Needing the support of something or someone in
order to continue existing or operating.
r Easily dealt with, controlled or persuaded.
c) Dozen(s) are created daily. ( paragraph 2, Line 3)
r 20 or approximately 20.
r Two or a few
things that are similar or the same, or two or a few people who are in some way
connected.
r Twelve.
d) It is defined as 'any international organisation that is not founded by
an international treaty'. (
paragraph 4, Line 4)
r A group of
countries or people that have similar political interests.
r A written agreement between two or
more countries formally approved and signed by their leaders.
r An order to
temporarily stop something, especially trading or giving information.
4. What do the underlined words in
the text refer to?
- Them
(Paragraph 1) :
…………………….……….…………
- It
(Paragraph 4) :
…………………….….………………
c. They (Paragraph 5) : …………………….….………………