Non-government organisations (NGOs)

What are NGOs? Essentially Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) are organisations which are: (i) not based in government; and (ii) not created to earn a profit. NGOs vary greatly according to philosophy, purpose, programs, approach, scope of activities, expertise and structures. Philosophy Purpose - religious, secular, work with specific groups such as women or children Operational orientation - relief, welfare, development, advocacy Program approach - service delivery, participatory activities Expertise and accountability - professionals, skilled volunteers Scope of activities Sectors - health, governance, environment, education Geographical - specific community, country, region Education - workshops, newsletters, resources, speakers, fundraising activities Advocacy - community involvement and high level negotiation to highlight underlying issues and effect policy changes with decision makers Structures - small, community or grassroots groups, global hierarchies, which may have a strong central authority or a loose federal arrangement and focus on a broad range of issues. Improvements in information communication technology mean more local groups have become active at the national or even the global level, increasingly through coalitions and umbrella groups. Codes of Conduct The great diversity of NGOs and their supporters can lead to difficulty in knowing who to support. Some level of accountability is provided through the Code of Conduct coordinated through the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), the coordinating body for Australian non government overseas aid agencies. About 110 NGOs have signed the ACFID Code which means they undertake to run a well-managed organisation, to be financially transparent, and to uphold an agreed set of values and principles in both the work they support overseas and in the fundraising and educational activities they run in Australia. For links to NGOs: http://www.acfid.asn.au/ Australian government and NGOs In Australia NGOs who meet certain criteria may receive government funding to undertake specific programs. They may have the expertise and experience in different forms of aid delivery such as broad community development, specific sectoral activities such as maternal and child health or the ability to respond rapidly to emergency situations. Other NGOs may be doing valuable work but be too small or working in countries or sectors which are not the Australian government's priorities. http://www.ausaid.gov.au/ngos/default.cfm Responding to need The following is a brief list of questions to help you and your students start considering how to respond to the many needs and requests for assistance you receive: Does the organisation's philosophy match your own? Does the organisation work in the country and sector you want to focus upon? Has the organisation signed the ACFID Code of Conduct? If the request is from a person or group supporting an NGO what accountability are they promising? Remember a promise to donate money raised is after the costs have been deducted and may not be very much if the activity has not been properly funded and costs are not controlled. What sort of information is provided and feedback offered? (eg regular reports, speaker, online activities) Remember that this generally takes away from the time and money that can be spent for the nominated program.

	Volunteering for International Development from Australia (VIDA)
	World Vision Australia
	CARE Australia
	Oxfam Australia
	Austraining International
	Amnesty International
	AUSTCARE
	The Global Poverty Project
	SurfAid International
	School Aid