Definitions for "NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS"
Special interest groups that operate in the global community.
Many NGOs attend the climate talks as observers in order to interact with delegates and the press. NGOs include environmental groups, business groups, and city and local governments.
Organizations formed by people outside of government. NGO's monitor the proceedings of human rights bodies such as the COMMISSION ON human rights and are the "watchdogs" of the human rights that fall within their mandate. Some are large and international (e.g., the Red Cross, Amnesty International, the Girl Scouts); others may be small and local (e.g., an organization to advocate people with disabilities in a particular city; a coalition to promote women's rights in one refugee camp). NGO's play a major role in influencing UN policy, and many of them have official consultative status at the UN. Abbreviated NGOs.