INGOs, Global Issues & Case Studies

International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs)

Definition of INGOs

• INGOs are private organizations. That perform activities to prevent suffering, promote well-being, and provide services, or undertake community development.
• They work internationally, focusing on humanitarian efforts to provide essential needs and ensure safety.
• INGOs are private entities not created by governments and are not-for-profit institutions.
• INGOs also change global laws and norms.

Fairness and Social Justice

• INGOs strive for fairness and social justice, aiming to do what is good for everyone.

INGOs as a Social Force

• INGOs act as a social force, advocating for protection against state or other actors.

INGO Collaboration

• INGOs may collaborate with states, targeting transnational issues.
• Examples include charities in Africa addressing basic needs and working with prisons to bring justice.

Corporate-NGO Partnerships

• Partnerships between INGOs and Transnational Corporations (TNCs) are common.
• Examples from 2015 include:
  • M&S / Oxfam
  • Boots/Macmillan
  • SSK / Save the Children
  • Innocent/Age UK
  • Network Rail / Samaritans
  • P&G (Pampers)/ UNICEF
  • Tesco/Diabetes UK & British Heart Foundation
  • Coca Cola/WWF
  • Nationwide / Macmillan
  • Barclays/Plan UK / Care International
  • Sainsbury's/Comic Relief
  • Jaguar-Land Rover / The Red Cross
  • GSK/20% reinvestment initiative (GSK, CARE…)
  • Lloyds Banking Group / Alzheimer's Society
• Examples from 2021 include:
  • Tesco - CRUK, BHF, DUK
  • Boots Macmillan Cancer Support
  • Tesco - WWF
  • 02 - NSPCC
  • B&Q - Shelter
  • GSK - Save the Children
  • HSBC - Shelter
  • Land Rover - British Red Cross
  • Cadbury Age UK
  • Network Rail - Samaritans
  • Three Samaritans
  • Unilever - UNICEF
  • HSBC - Shelter
  • Sainsbury's Comic / Sport Relief
  • Sky-WWF
  • Tesco - British Red Cross
  • Tesco - Fareshare
  • Unilever - Global hygiene

Concerns About INGO Support for TNCs

• Some worry that INGOs supporting TNCs may be related to image concerns or access to funding.

INGO Weaknesses

• INGOs are expanding but can be weakened by a lack of connectivity.

State Weakness

• State weakness can be a factor.

INGO Legitimacy and Influence

• Legitimacy is a major weapon for any INGO to exert influence.
• Pragmatic Legitimacy: Occurs when INGOs are seen as responsive to the needs of governments, donors, and beneficiaries.
  • Based on how INGOs serve needs.
• Normative Legitimacy: Relies on moral arguments about humanitarian aid and human rights.
  • Based on doing the job well.

Challenges to Traditional Approaches

• Traditional charity models may not be sufficient to demonstrate legitimacy.

Reasons for Trust Issues with INGOs

• INGOs might abandon their mission by focusing on competition for money and resources.
• They may be perceived as global elites, losing touch with grassroots concerns.
• A single mistake can ruin an INGO's reputation.

Normative Legitimacy and Trust

• Normative legitimacy means being trusted because actions are morally right.
• People believe that INGOs stand for something important.

Evolving INGO Engagement

• INGOs are offering supporters opportunities to join in actions, not just donate.
• Examples:
  • Greenpeace Mobilization Lab: Lets people run their own activism.
  • Amnesty Decoders project: Helps people analyze data.

INGOs and Political Sensitivities

• In some countries, INGOs focusing on climate change, refugees' rights, and inequality are seen as too politicized.
• Normative legitimacy faces challenges as it is not always easily achieved.

Cognitive Legitimacy

• Cognitive Legitimacy: Is when INGOs are seen by individuals or communities as a trusted, necessary part of society.
• Digital platforms like Change.org and GiveDirectly are becoming credible alternatives, promising more efficient resource use.
• Give Directly: Sends money directly to people living in poverty.
• Change.org: Platform to start petitions.

Arguments For and Against INGOs

• For:
  • INGOs contribute to more democracy at the international level, giving voice to the voiceless.
  • They promote transparency by monitoring actions of states and TNCs.
  • They introduce ethics into a state-based system, focusing on principled beliefs and individual well-being.
• Against:
  • INGOs are increasingly co-opted by governments and corporations.
  • They cannot be held accountable and are not representative.
  • INGOs themselves are often not democratically structured, exhibiting centralistic tendencies.

INGO Contributions to Democracy and Accountability

• INGOs give voice to those needing support and operations who have no power.
• They raise issues that governments might ignore.
• They help make governments accountable by sharing information and pushing for democratic problem-solving.

Case Study: INGOs and the Mediterranean Migrant Crisis (2014-2016)

• Background: Refugee movement from North Africa and the Middle East to Italy through the Mediterranean Sea.
• Causes: Arab Spring, collapse of Libya, Syrian civil war.
• Sea operations were less risky than land routes, but thousands died crossing.
• INGOs stepped in to help when governments were not doing enough.
• What NGOs Did: Started rescue missions using their own ships.

Examples of INGOs Involved

• MOAS (Migrant Offshore Assistance Station): Founded by philanthropists, worked with the state, operated the ship Phoenix.
• MSF (Doctors Without Borders): Independent medical INGO. MSF Barcelona operated 'Dignity I'; MSF Brussels operated 'Bourbon Argos' with a hospital onboard.
• SOS Mediterranee: Operated Aquarius/Ocean Viking. Faced criticism but saved thousands of lives.

Positive Impacts and Challenges

• Saved lives and raised awareness.
• INGOs need permission from governments and faced challenges.
• Governments claimed INGOs encouraged migration.
• The thorny paradox: government stops helping, and INGOs' work made governments stop doing anything.

INGOs and Government Relations

• INGOs need to balance working independently with cooperating with governments.
• Strong relationships with governments ensure support through funding and resources.
• Cooperation with governments provides resources to do campaign.

Key summary points:

• INGOs play a crucial role in…This highlights the importance of…A key example of this is…In contrast, some INGOs struggle with…This shows how INGOs must balance…Overall, INGOs remain essential in addressing global challenges…
• Useful Phrases for Essay Writing: INGOs play a crucial role in… This highlights the importance of… A key example of this is… In contrast, some INGOs struggle with… This shows how INGOs must balance… Overall, INGOs remain essential in addressing global challenges…
• INGOs (International Non-Governmental Organizations) are independent, non-profit groups that work globally to solve issues such as poverty, health crises, conflict, environmental damage, and human rights violations.
• They are not controlled by any government but often cooperate with them to gain access to affected areas, funding, and legal permissions.

INGO Legitimacy Types:

• Pragmatic legitimacy based on being useful, effective, and solving real problems.
• Normative legitimacy based on being moral, ethical, and standing for justice and human rights.
• Cognitive legitimacy based on being seen as a normal, necessary part of society.
• Positive impact of INGOs: Rescued over 100,000 people, Freed up coast guards to work in other areas, Pressured governments through media and advocacy.

INGO’s Goals

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