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An American Perspective on An American Perspective on the Roles and Functions of NGOsthe Roles and Functions of NGOs

Allison Moore

American Bar Association

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NGOs/NPOsNGOs/NPOs

What do we mean by these terms?

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Questions for ConsiderationQuestions for Consideration

1. Should every cause (e.g., environmental protection, women’s rights, labor rights) have an NGO?

2. How do you regulate an NGO to make it a “good” NGO? Or, what should government do to promote NGOs?

3. Imagine all the very best environmental NGO leaders became the leaders in government and business. Then would we still need environmental NGOs?

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WHY DOES THE U.S. NEED SO MANY NGOS? WHY DOES THE U.S. NEED SO MANY NGOS?

NGOs play different roles and use different methods to achieve goals

Information politics – e.g. Move-on.org, League of Conservation Voters

Accountability to the requirements of law – e.g., Environmental Defense, Natural Resources Defense Council, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Women’s Legal Defense Fund

Research and Public Education – e.g., Worldwatch Institute (Lester Brown)

Organize volunteers and activities – e.g., WWF, Nature Conservancy, numerous local groups

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WHY DOES THE U.S. NEED SO MANY NGOS? WHY DOES THE U.S. NEED SO MANY NGOS?

NGOs have different views of politics and the influence of money

View of Government/Political Parties------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Basically Trust Government Basically Distrust Government

Orientation to Social Problem Solving-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Government Regulation Free Market

View of Effect of Source of Funding on NGO Mission-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Business/ Private Foundations MembersGovernment

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WHY DOES THE U.S. NEED SO MANY NGOS? WHY DOES THE U.S. NEED SO MANY NGOS?

NGOs have different fundamental values

* People-centered (e.g., Worldwatch Institute)

* Animal rights (e.g., WWF)

* Ecosystem-centered (e.g., WRI, Friends of Chicago River)

Based on different values, they might advocate different solutions to the same problem

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Questions for ConsiderationQuestions for Consideration

1. Should every cause (e.g., environmental protection, women’s rights, labor rights) have an NGO?

2. How do you regulate an NGO to make it a “good” NGO? Or, what should government do to promote NGOs?

3. Imagine all the very best environmental NGO leaders became the leaders in government and business. Then would we still need environmental NGOs?

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WHY NGOS NEED SPACE FROM REGULATIONWHY NGOS NEED SPACE FROM REGULATION

Paradox: To be an effective NGO, it might need independence from government regulation.

Activities and Mission of NGO naturally change over time (e.g., ABA)

Credibility of research and analysis depends on independence

(Worldwatch Institute, League of Conservation Voters)

Ability to raise questions about and challenge status quo requires independence (NRDC suits against government)

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WHY NGOS NEED SPACE FROM REGULATIONWHY NGOS NEED SPACE FROM REGULATION

Who will protect the public from “bad” NGOs? 

Internal mechanisms of responsibility, transparency, and accountability

- Independent Board of Directors and other governance structures

- Open financial records

Oversight by Funders

Media supervision

Government supervision of financial honesty, as completely separate from evaluation of value of NGOs’ activities

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WHAT SHOULD GOVERNMENT DO?WHAT SHOULD GOVERNMENT DO?

Government can make it easier for NGOs to raise money 

Tax breaks for nonprofit, charitable activities

Tax breaks for contributions to nonprofit, charitable, activities

- examples of fund-raising events and sales; membership drives; business consultancy

Direct government support- tricky – Rust v. Sullivan (abortion counseling by private clinics)

LSC v. Velasquez (raising challenges to laws/regulations in general, not to application of laws in particular case)

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Questions for ConsiderationQuestions for Consideration

1. Should every cause (e.g., environmental protection, women’s rights, labor rights) have an NGO?

2. How do you regulate an NGO to make it a “good” NGO? Or, what should government do to promote NGOs?

3. Imagine all the very best environmental NGO leaders became the leaders in government and business. Then would we still need environmental NGOs?

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WHY ARE NGOS DIFFERENT FROM WHY ARE NGOS DIFFERENT FROM GOVERNMENT?GOVERNMENT?

Government Leaders, Business Leaders, and NGO Leaders

are each responsible for and accountable to different groups

Even if government/business had the “greenest” leaders, they still have to meet other responsibilities when they are in that position

NGOs can focus on one goal or the interests of one group purely

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WHY ARE NGOS DIFFERENT FROM WHY ARE NGOS DIFFERENT FROM GOVERNMENT?GOVERNMENT?

Imagine the Kyoto Protocol if only Government and Business Leaders participated in writing it…

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Why I Work for an NGOWhy I Work for an NGO

- NGO career path, sacrifices- mission; advocacy- people I admire most- waiting for better political leaders