Transcript NGOs and United Nations?
Global Environmental Policy
- Module 1: NGOs and Communities -
Global Environmental Policies and NGOs and Communities
Class Matrix
Governments Business and Industry NGOs and Communities
Module 1:
Global Environmental Policy
Today
Module 2:
National Environmental Policy
Module 3:
Local Environmental Policy
NGOs and Sustainability Local Citizens NGOs
Global Environment
What are NGOs?
• set up around shared and common ideas/problems • non-governmental, and is not part of the local or prefectural government • self-governing, that is, it is not externally controlled • voluntary in its activities and in its membership.
NGOs or NPOs?
• NGO and NPO both stand for
what it is not …
• “NGO” stands for
N
on
G
overnmental
O
rganization, and focuses on organizational character: not the government) • “NPO” stands for
N
on
Profit O
rganization, and focuses on its economic character: not a private firm that makes profit
Why are NGOs important?
NGOs/NPOs are important as a link between the community that they serve, and international organizations and the UN. They help to collect important problems and other topics to UN meetings, and also help in distributing environmental information to the communities they serve.
Why are NGOs important?
Problems, ideas, monitoring, opinion etc.
United Nations NGO/NPO
Policies, programmes, campaigns, information
Community
What are the advantages of NGOs?
• They are flexible, and can try different ideas.
• They can be innovative and can use different methods of work. • They have good links with communities. • They can communicate with different groups. • Many NGOs/NPOs have experienced staff on different issues.
What are the advantages of NGOs?
Internal aspects
• Professionalism • Knowledge and awareness • Vision development
External aspects
• Participation • Partnership • Networking
NGOs in Developing Countries?
• NGOs work mostly on poverty issues – with very poor people • Projects in education, health, skill development, housing, finance etc.
• Help in areas where local government
is
weak • Keep a check on government action
NGOs in Developing Countries?
Work
with
and
for
governments on broad development topics and projects NGOs may be of two types:
National, provincial or local governments
Work
‘against’
governments in campaigning and advocating change in public systems
NGOs and United Nations?
• Participate in and help prepare for UN Meetings • Provide a ‘voice’ for developing countries and communities at the UN • Help develop international policies of UN, including technical expertise • Help in distributing information at the local level • Organize meetings and training on international policies at the local level
NGOs and United Nations?
Major Groups in the UN
• Business and Industry • • • • • • • • Children and Youth Farmers Indigenous Peoples Local Authorities NGOs Scientific & Technological Community Women Workers and Trade Unions The UN defines NGOs broadly as “major groups”
http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/majorgroups.html
NGOs and United Nations?
• UN-wide example:
NGO Branch
The NGO Branch is the focal point within the United Nations for Non Governmental Organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
http://esango.un.org/
NGOs and United Nations?
• UN-wide example:
NGLS
The Non-governmental Liaison Service The United Nations Non Governmental Liaison Service (UN NGLS) is an inter-agency programme. Its aim is to promote and develop constructive relations between the United Nations and civil society organizations.
http://www.un-ngls.org/
NGOs and United Nations?
• UN-wide example:
The UN Stakeholder Forum The United Nations Stakeholder Forum
Stakeholder Forum is an international organization working to advance sustainable development and promote democracy at a global level.
http://www.stakeholderforum.org/
International NGOs
• • • •
Major International NGOs working on Environment and Sustainable Development
Greenpeace Oxfam Friends of Earth Worldwide Fund for Nature etc …
NGOs and United Nations?
• Every UN agency (eg: UNDP), multi-lateral bank (eg. Asian Development Bank) or bilateral agency (eg. JICA)
has a sepcial department dealing directly and specially with NGOs.
• These partnerships work on a strategic, programmatic and project levels.
NGOs and United Nations – Example #1
UN NGO Meeting
African Cities Energy Network
Network
NGOs and United Nations – Example #2
UN
Environmental Technology Centre, Murdoch University, Australia
University Online E-Learning Book
More info on NGOs See the NGO Café at: http://www.gdrc.org/ngo/
Next session
Governments Business and Industry NPOs and Communities
Module 1:
Global Environmental Policy
Module 2:
National Environmental Policy
Next …
Module 3:
Local Environmental Policy
Class Communication …
Resources, websites, ideas, notes will be available online:
www.gdrc.info/gep
/
Send me an email anytime!
Hari Srinivas
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