Non-governmental Organisations - Assignment Example

Running head: non- governmental organisations Student’s name: Grade course Tutor’s name 20th may, 2012 Non- governmental organisations Introduction A non-governmental organisation, (Ngo), is any voluntary group formed by citizens and it does not work for profits meaning, it is a non-profit organisation (Willets, 2003). The operations of a non-governmental organisation are at local, national and international level. Their formation is by people with a common interest, and who are task oriented. The major roles of non-governmental Organisations include; humanitarian functions, advocacy and monitoring of policies and putting the government and politicians to task. These roles are done through the provision of information. There are some non governmental organisations which are specific on what they do, such as those dealing with human and animal rights, environmental, education and health. The Ngos work towards alerting the involved stakeholders in their area of specialty so that the possible risks can be eliminated and to avoid it’s occurrence in the future. Many of the non-governmental organisations work closely with the United Nations, depending on their goals, objections and areas of operation. Many non-governmental organisations pressure governments and all the involved stakeholders to do what is expected of them (willets, 2003). There are those Ngos that fight for gender equality in the world as their main agenda. In many cases, the non-governmental organisations act as whistle blowers and eye openers to either the government or the public, or even to the international community. The non-governmental organisations have joined, with many companies, to help them deliver their social responsibility and to provide back to the society. Ngos also aim at influencing the decision making process in the government and companies, in relation to distribution of resources (Korey, 1998). Most non-governmental organisations use strategic approaches in addressing their issues so as to solve the crisis accordingly. Approaches used by different non-governmental organisations Non-governmental organisations use different approaches in addressing most social issues (Wends, 2007). The reason behind the use of different approaches is determined by the non-governmental organisation's goals and objectives (Korey, 1998). The social issues are also different from each other, thus making it necessary to use different approaches in handling each one of them. These approaches give positive results and avoid conflict with different stakeholders. In this case, the social issue to be discussed will be human rights (Donnelly, 2003) this is because; there are so many organizations in the United Kingdom and the world at large, which fight for human rights (Welch, 1995). Human rights are widely abused around the world, and this has attracted a lot of non-governmental organisations, which aim at ensuring that all is well, and peoples’ rights are respected. The non-governmental organisations use the following approaches in handling the social issue of human rights (Tuijl, 1999). Partnership is another approach for Ngos, many non-governmental organisations use the approach of partnership to solve the social issue of human rights. The organization partner with different stakeholders, who includes, the society, and the people whose rights are abused (Tuijl, 1999). Partnership also entails those abusing these rights, in order to provide a platform for solving this crisis accordingly. In this approach, the non- governmental organisation joins hands with those whose rights are being abused, in order to bring the problem to the attention of the government. The need to illuminate the social issue of human rights abuse to the government's attention is to enable that, the issue can be looked at by the government as fast as possible. Partnering with the victims aims at empowering them to air their needs and views. It also helps the victims to use the right channels to have their issues addressed. The Ngo’s also partner with the society to ensure that, no rights are abused, this is through informing the society about what is expected from the government agencies (Cassese, 1990). They inform the society on their rights during different occasions, for example, during arrests and demonstrations. The society is enlightened on how to act when their rights or those of individuals are being abused. This helps to solve the problem before it magnifies. The non- governmental organisations' efforts to partner with those abusing the rights of people help in reducing the impact of such abuse. In using this approach, the Ngos threaten those abusing the human rights, and this makes them stop their operations. The Ngos which partner with the government helps in identifying the areas which require government protection. The government then moves to protect and eliminate this abuse (Wouters and Rossi, 2001) Monitoring and evaluation is used by many non-governmental organisations as one of their key approaches (Donnelly, 1998). The Ngos tend to use this method to ensure that all the stakeholders do what is expected of them. They ensure that the stakeholders do not shortfall of the laid down expectations. The non-governmental organisations exercise this approach by acting as whistle blowing mechanism, to ensure no abuse of human rights. The non- governmental organisations ensure that they compare what the stakeholders have done differently from what is expected. This approach is also used after the Ngos intervene on a certain issues, in order to follow up what have been done. The Ngos ensure that they share the results with the general public, so that they can judge the stakeholders for themselves, and enable them to demand what is right (Cassese, 1990). Training and technical assistance is a key approach used by non- governmental organisations to address human rights as a social issue (Donnelly, 2004). The Ngos take it as their responsibility to educate the society on their rights and, therefore, enlighten and alert them when ever their rights are being abused. This education helps the society to pressure the involved stakeholders to eliminate the abuse, whether it is done on the entire society or to an individual (Falk, 2000). The Ngos train a few individuals who act as watch dogs and, when there is abuse of human rights, they call the organisation to the attention of the problem. This training helps both the government and community based organisations because; it empowers the society and helps the social actors to identify any form of abuse (Falk, 2000). Development of infrastructures is a vital approach used by Ngos. Non -governmental organisations develop infrastructures as a way of eliminating human rights abuse. They can also stop development of an infrastructure being done by other stakeholders, if such projects threaten human rights. This helps win support from the society and help them achieve their mission and vision (Leon and Thomas, 1996). The infrastructure that the non-governmental organisations develop may include public toilets and a waste dump site to as to promote human rights to a healthy environment. This helps in putting the government on pressure to promote human rights in all the ways possible. This approach enlightens the society on what it should demand from the government, as well as providing the right infrastructures require by the society like schools where they are inadequate (Leon and Thomas, 1996). The non-governmental organisations act as information provider, by providing information to the involved stakeholders. They provide information to the public in order to ensure that, the public gets to know and appreciate their rights to the maximum. This is to enable them fight for what is right, and to eliminate human rights abuse (Welch, 2008). The Ngos also provide information to the government on the areas and people, who require attention. This provides an easy ground for the involved stakeholders and the government to address an issue using the information they already have. The information provided to the public act as an eye opener to any issue, which was not open to the public, and could threaten human rights. The provision of information to the society is an approach use by the Ngos to enlighten the society, and to help the government undertake their duties to the public effectively (Leon and Thomas, 1996). Demonstrations and peaceful walks have been a common approach to many non-governmental organisations. These non-governmental organisations take this approach to bring the general public on board in solving human rights issue. The demonstrations and walks call for government's attention, and the involved stakeholders which are abusing or have the intention of abusing human rights. Demonstrations and peaceful walks threaten the involved stakeholders, to cooperate and eradicate the risk of human rights abuse (Welch, 2008). This approach also attracts the attention of the international community, if well organised, and helps in eliminating the issue as fast as possible. This approach is a way of letting the public demand for what is rightly theirs. Advocacy for the human rights of the poor is an approach characterising many non-governmental organisations. They do this by acting as spokesmen of the poor, and ensuring their rights are observed. They also pressure the involved stakeholders to provide the poor people with their daily necessities. The non-governmental organisations protect the poor and also enlighten them on their rights. They call for government's attention, to solve the social issues of the poor citizens (Welch, 2008). These approaches differ from organisation to organisation, depending on the goals and objectives they aim at achieving. The approaches are also determined by the area of operation because; some approaches may not be used in some countries. The non- governmental organisations that use majority of these approaches find it easy to achieve their objectives and increase their influence to the general public. Organizations With the greatest influence in both Public opinion and Government policy in human rights and the reasons for this influence There are so many non- governmental organisations that have come to fight and promote human rights of certain groups or parts of the country, though, not every non- governmental organisation has registered enormous influence in dealing with this social issue. The level of influence of these Ngos differs depending on the support they have from the general public. The most influential non- governmental organisations in United Kingdom include the following. British Helsinki human rights, is a non- governmental organisation, which has been, on the front line when fighting for the human rights of outstanding marginalised groups. The marginalised groups include the homeless and those from small areas not included in the country map (Hunfer, 2009). Their goals and objectives are easy to sell to the general public because, they fight for a genuine course, and they attract the government's attention in addressing the social issues affecting the marginalised groups. These objectives have helped the organisation gain popularity and support from many people, who always join any activity the organisation undertakes. The organisation has been pressurising the relevant stakeholders to act on their issues (Welch, 2008). Dignity in dying is another non- governmental organisation in the UK, which has continuously protected the poor against any suffering caused by those around them. The organisation ensures that each and every poor person has what is required to continue living. The organisation has introduced projects to feed the poor and ensure that they are not oppressed by the rich. These projects have helped the organisation to increase its influence and support from those who oppose oppression of the poor. These have also helped increase the organisations funding from different areas including the United Nations (UN). This increased funding has helped the organisation widen its area of operation (Hunfer, 2009). Plan aid international is another influential non- governmental organisation that deals with elevating the lives of the poor, and any other marginalised groups. The organisation has established a working mechanism that ensures their operations are not only concentrated in areas around towns, but also in the countryside where they believe help is required more than in towns (Wouters and Rossi, 2001). The organisation has a lot of influence because; it works with the people, to attract government's attention. This attention forces the government to provide the poor and the marginalised areas with essential services. The organisation has helped a lot of poor people to access vital, basic services like education and health (Hoggart, 2009). Homeless international is a non- governmental organisation, which fights for, the homeless to have places to call homes. The organisation has helped the homeless people join and form an association that fights for their rights and takes their grievances to the government. The organisation helps the homeless to come up and join the association without any shame (hoggart, 2009). Women living under Muslim laws, an Ngo based in the UK, has regional offices in all the continents. The organisation fights for the rights of women oppressed by the Muslim laws. The organisation unites the muslim women to unite against the oppressive and discriminative laws. The organisation enlightens the women from being tied down by the Koran, and its laws and made religious slaves (Steiner, 1981). The organisation has gained a lot of influence because; it fights against the Muslim religion discrimination against women. Women who view Muslim religion as one promoting male dominance support the organisation because; they believe religion should make people equal (Welch, 1995). Woman kind worldwide is an Ngo that fights for women human rights in all the aspects such as political and economic, and it ensures that they compete with men and given fair chances (boven, 1995). The organisation also mentors women to take leadership opportunities available to them, be it political or social positions. The organisation has put pressure on the United Kingdom government to ensure policies favouring women are put in place, to avoid male dominance (Welch, 1995). Conclusion Non-governmental organisations have played a paramount role in promoting human rights for different groups, and those of people from different areas. The organisation has acted as an eye opener to both the government and general public to certain issues that require government attention. Many organisations have also helped elevate lives of certain marginalised groups by ensuring that they receive the same treatment like any other members of the society. The non-governmental organisations have invented a lot of approaches to help them work out their goals and objectives. These approaches have worked as key tools to the success of these organisations. References Boven, T. (1995), “Human rights and rights of peoples”. London: Routledge. Cassese, A.(1990). Human rights in a changing world. London: Temple press. Donnelly, J. (1998). International human rights. Boulder: Westview press. Donnelly, J. (2003). “What are human rights?”. London: Routledge. Donnelly, J.(2004). Global human rights in theory and practice. New York: Cornell press. Falk, R. A. (2000). Human rights in a globalized world. New York: Routledge. Hoggart, R. (2009). 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(2005). ‘The conscience of the world: ngo's and human rights. London: oxford. Willetts, P. (2003). “What is a non-governmental organization?” London: Oxford. Wouters, J. And Rossi, I. (2001). “Human rights Ngos: Role, structure and legal Rights movement. London: Cambridge. Read More