NonGovernmental Organisations IB Global Politics UWC Costa Rica

Non-Governmental Organisations IB Global Politics UWC Costa Rica

Small Group Brainstorm (10 mins) • What is an NGO? • What do NGOs do? • How does this relate to Power, Sovereignty and International Relations? • What existing knowledge do you have?

Difficult to define an ngo? • What difficulties are there? • What different types of NGO exist? • What do they have in common?

Defining the term NGO A non-governmental organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens' group which is organized on a local, national or international level. Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of service and humanitarian functions, bring citizen concerns to Governments, advocate and monitor policies and encourage political participation through provision of information. Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, environment or health. They provide analysis and expertise, serve as early warning mechanisms and help monitor and implement international agreements. Their relationship with offices and agencies of the United Nations system differs depending on their goals, their venue and the mandate of a particular institution. (taken from ngo. org/ngoinfo/define. html)

Examples of NGOs globally • • • Amnesty International The Malaria Consortium International Rescue Committee OXFAM Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) • What other names could you add to this list?

International Rescue Committee: A Case Study • Founded in 1942 (Albert Einstein) • The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 40 countries and 25 U. S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home

A Very Brief Introduction to IRC

Ten years of Conflict in Darfur • 300, 000 dead and 2, 700, 000 displaced • IRC provided medical care, water, sanitation, education and protection for 800, 000 Darfuris and 1. 1 million people in North and East Sudan

Expulsion from Sudan • Abruptly, on March 4, 2009, the IRC and 12 other relief organizations were expelled from the region by the Sudanese government. • "Our departure left gaping holes in the essential support system for nearly two million people” - Kurt Tjossem (IRC Regional Director) • Why do you think the IRC were expelled from Sudan?

Read the Reuters article to find out more background http: //www. reuters. com/article/2009/03/16/ussudan-warcrimes-ngo-id. USTRE 52 F 6 SX 20090316

Choose one NGO • Create a Powtoon profile of your chosen NGO • You must provide examples and case studies that can be used by others as evidence in the exam • You must make explicit links to the concepts of power, sovereignty and the nation state • You must make it clear which level of analysis applies • The link to your Powtoon must be emailed to Ben or Rob by Wednesday 28 th October.