Week 6 NGOs

PS536, Global Environmental Law and Policy 

Spring Semester 2008

Session Outline Week 6 

Environmental Movements and Nongovernmental Organizations

Map (central Asia)

I.    General Observations about NGOs

Definition of NGOs

National vs international NGOs

Growth in numbers

Role of NGO's in Civil Society  (national and international)

II.    Types of NGOs

•      Public Interest/Advocacy

  • Sierra Club

  • Greenpeace     Greenpeace International

  • Environmental Defense

  • IUCN - The World Conservation Union

  • Rainforest Action Network

  • WWF (formerly the World Wildlife Fund)

  • International Planned Parenthood

  • Union of Concerned Scientists

  • Natural Resources Defense Council

•    

•     Scientific/Professional

  • International Council for Science (ICSU)--formerly the International Council of Scientific Unions

  • International Social Science Council (ISSC)

  • American Geophysical Union (AGY)

•    

•     Industry/Corporate Groups

  • Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy

  • World Business Council for Sustainable Development

  • Global Climate Coalition

•  

•    Religious Organizations

  • Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility

  • National Association of Evangelicals

  • World Council of Churches

•    Political Parties

• Green Party - US

• Greens Worldwide    (Wikipedia entry)

•   

• Other

  •  

  • World Economic Forum    (Wikipedia entry)

  • World Social Forum    (Wikipedia entry)

III.  Roles of International Environmental NGOs

• Call attention to problems

• Mobilize public opinion

• Propose international rules and programs

• Lobby governmental policy makers and negotiators

• Promote and coordinate scientific inquiry

• Provide expert opinion  (Consultative Status of NGOs with international agencies)

• Monitor compliance with international rules 

• Pressure violators of international rules

IV.    Larger Issues

•     Are NGOs an unmixed blessing?

•     Are they representative of public interests around the world?

•     Do single issue organizations bring a very balanced view to the process?