Non-Governmental Organizations

What is a NGO?

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwfuvJWybdQ

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uKWlSIkdVM

The World of NGOs

• 6,000 NGOs Worldwide (some estimates as high as 40,000)• ~10% of Global ODA or ~$8B• Range in size from Red Cross to just a few employees• Target a variety of issues

• Poverty• Hunger• Health• The Environment

• Less pressure from change in politics• Small scale projects

• More community involvement• Can be individually tailored to meet specific community

needs• Higher “success” rate• Less bureaucratic

• A more “human” face

Advantages of NGOs

Disadvantages of NGOs

• Constant funding difficulties• Possible lack of legitimacy• Difficult to regulate

• Can lack transparency and accountability• Can be ineffective due to lack of coordination

Types of NGOs

Water Resource

Related NGOs

Environmental/Ecological

Focus

Water Supply And Sanitation

Focus

Policy and Government

Lobbying

Implementation of Community

Projects

Network of other NGOs

ProfessionalMembershipOrganization

Research andData Collection

Education

TransboundaryWater Issues

Many Others

Development OrganizationInter-relationship

NGOs

InternationalFinancial

Institutions

GovernmentAgency

Specific ProjectOr Issue

Example: Green Cross

• Green Cross International• Promotes legal, ethical and behavioral norms that ensure basic changes in

values, actions, and attitudes of government, the private sector, and civil society, necessary to build a sustainable global community

• Prevents and resolves conflicts arising from environmental degradation• Provides assistance to people affected by the environmental consequences of

wars and conflicts

Water for Peace:The Jordan River Basin- Phase I• Studies and assessments of the current extent of the conflict• Strategy development

• Increase water use efficiency• Develop new sources• Bring water policy decision makers together

• Pilot educational projects• Recommendations to governments

Example: Water for People

• Supports sustainable drinking water, sanitation and hygiene projects

• Vision: A world where all people have safe drinking water

• Targets goal 7, target 10 of U.N. Millennium Development Goals:

“Reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water…”

Questions for Discussion

• How does the overlap of NGOs hinder or help their goals? • How can these organizations collaborate and better share information

and resources beyond creating just another NGO networking website and organization?

• How does the involvement of NGOs in trans-boundary water negotiations (over boarders of neighboring countries) and agreements complement the work of the various governments involved?