These articles offer a snapshot of how NGOs and civil society are being portrayed and profiled in the press around the world.

Holding NGOs Accountable
Forbes.com – 5 April 2005

Non-governmental organizations raise billions of dollars each year from individuals, private and public sector donors and charitable foundations, including $8 billion so far for the recent tsunami relief. However, there is no accepted benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of NGOs in their stated missions. Read how this article calls for NGOs to be subject to the same standards of budgetary and governance oversight as listed companies or government officials in democratic states. (read)

Fiji PM Wants Political NGOs De-registered
Pacific Magazine – 14 March 2005

The Fiji government is currently looking at amending laws that apply to non-governmental organizations, specifically those who have become critical of government policy. While the Prime Minister, H.E. Laisenia Qarase, recognizes the important role of NGOs in poverty alleviation, a call of caution on their membership, accountability and political ambitions has been made. (read)

IRC Blog Provides Behind the Scene View of Humanitarian Aid Effort
Reuters AlertNet – 24 March 2005
International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee has launched a ‘blog’ that gives visitors a new, more personal way of learning about its work on the ground. The ‘blog’ features contributions from IRC staff working in 25 countries around the world and some 20-refugee resettlement offices across the United States. (read)

Attack on NGOs to Upset Development Activities
The Daily Star (Bangladesh) – 6 March 2005

Leaders of the Federation of NGOs (FNB) in Bangladesh are reporting that they are under threat as frequent bombings and grenade attacks have posed serious hindrances to their development activities. FNB members expressed grave concern over these politically motivated attacks and are looking at preventative methods to avert the dangerous conditions. (read)

Conference Seeks to Drive Home Environmental Responsibility
The Daily Star (Lebanon) – 31 March 2005
Nada Bakri

Arab and Mediterranean environmentalists recently met to issue the "Environmental Citizenship Declaration," a regional environmental education program directed toward public management and protection of the environment. The concept of environmental citizenship is meant to foster a sense that individuals can play an integral part in safeguarding the ecosystem and act responsibly and positively toward the environment. (read)

NGO Influence Low Despite Huge Growth in Ranks
Japan Times – 5 February 2005
Nao Shimoyachi

While the number of Japanese environmental NGOs may be growing, these groups are experiencing great difficulty in influencing policies at the national level. Read how low operating budgets and the lack of independent research institutes may be impeding the progress of Japanese environmental groups. (read)

Faking Civil Society
Common Dreams News Center – 7 April 2005
Jonathan Schell

Over the years, civil society organizations have been stalwarts in promoting democracy and human rights across the globe. Due to their peaceful and non-coercive tactics, they are often seen as legitimate agents for political change. However, the term “civil society” is being co-opted as governments are becoming more interested in setting up their own groups to advance more subtly the parochial interest of those in power. (read)

This section draws on the scholarly/academic discourse on the significance of NGOs and civil society in both international and national political landscapes.

The Tricky Business of Non-Profit Brands
HBS Working Knowledge – 14 March 2005
Manda Salls

Are brand management issues faced by a powerful for-profit company such as Toyota the same as those navigated by an international non-government organization (NGO) such as the Red Cross? Read how John A. Quelch and Nathalie Laidler-Kylander, the authors of a recent book entitled “The New Global Brands: Managing Non-Government Organizations in the 21st Century,” see NGOs facing unique challenges in their brand management. (read)

Coffee for Two -- Why are Starbucks and Oxfam Sharing the Same Table?
International Development Magazine -- 2005
Alison Maitland

In an unlikely partnership, Starbucks UK will be contributing £100,000 to Oxfam UK’s rural development programme based in Ethiopia. Read how both these organizations, despite strong reservations, came to see the advantages of joining forces. (read)

Social Entrepreneurship – Its Promises and its Challenge
Alliance magazine (Vol. 10, no. 1) – March 2005
Caroline Hartnell

Offering services in the area of education, health care, micro-credit and livelihood creation programmes, BRAC has become one of the leading NGOs in Bangladesh. The following article is based on an interview with BRAC’s founder Fazle Abed. Commenting on BRAC and its work, Fazle Abed suggests determination, national goals and inspiration as necessary requisites for success: ‘We always thought nationally, worked locally, and looked for inspiration globally.’ (read)

What the Hell is “Civil Society”?
Open Democracy -- 17 March 2005
Neera Chandhoke

This critical commentary on Michael Edward’s book Civil Society concentrates on the three meanings of that concept: civil society as a description of a variety of associations; as a value advocating the advantages of cooperation; or as a democratic ecosystem; and a public sphere in which engagement with the whole future and shape of society takes place. The analysis casts a skeptical eye on the findings of the text and offers alternative definitions. (read)

Threat Resurges for Venezuelan NGOs
International Journal of Non-for-Profit Law – February 2005
Antonio Itriago and Miguel Angel Itriago

The threat of a new regulatory scheme to regulate contributions and donations from foreign entities to Venezuelan NGOs has resurged, only a short time after inclusion of such regulations was eliminated from the reformed Penal Code. ‘El Nacional,’ a Venezuelan daily, reported that ‘indications of support resurfaced for approval of a new legal regulatory scheme to regulate the funds that civil associations and non-governmental organizations receive from foreign institutions.’ (read)

Africa's Debt Crisis needs a Fair and Transparent Arbitration Court
Afrodad -- 2004

Who should be responsible for the reckless indebtedness of countries: debtors or creditors? Examining the case of certain African countries, the author suggests that the creation of an independent arbitration court is a fair and transparent way of identifying where the responsibility lies. (read)

Statements and positions from NGOs and civil society are featured here to demonstrate how these actors relate to the UN system and use multilateral fora to advance the issues they champion. Also featured is documentation on civil society and NGOs emanating from the multilateral system.

NGO Statement on Aid Effectiveness
Paris High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness – February-March 2005

Donor and partner countries, multilateral and bilateral aid organizations, parliamentarians and civil society organizations took part in the second Paris Forum, which focused on developing ways to improve the delivery of aid to developing countries. Several NGOs felt the Declaration did not go nearly far enough on national ownership over development policies and procedures, building developing country capacity, enhancing aid predictability and untying aid. (read)

NGOs and the Commission on Status of Women
28 February – 11 March 2005

More than 2600 NGO representatives gathered in New York to participate in the ten year review of the commitments made at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. NGOs stressed the importance of engendering the Millennium Development Goals, sexual and reproductive rights, and the move from reaffirmation of the Beijing Platform to action and enforcement of its goals. Below is a selection of NGO statements that have been released during the 49th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

- Linkage Caucus (read)
- Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) (read)

Benchmark for the 5-Year Review of the Millennium Summit (NGO Paper)
Social Watch – March 2005

As Member States prepare for their 5-year review of the Millennium Declaration, NGOs are calling upon them to develop a bold agenda, while urging them to pursue concrete strategies for implementation. Tackling issues ranging from the environment to HIV/AIDS to poverty reduction strategies, this paper offers decision-makers a series of recommendations to be considered for their negotiation. (read)

Millennium +5 NGO Network Consultation Outcomes
Millennium +5 NGO Network – February, March and April 2005

The Millennium+5 NGO Network is an informal grouping of NGOs brought together by CONGO and the NGO DPI Executive Committee. This Network has begun organizing a series of NGO consultations that are taking place at a number of the UN Commissions throughout the first half of 2005. These consultations are an opportunity for NGOs to voice priority areas for action that they wish governments to act upon at the Millennium +5 Summit in September. These various inputs will be compiled in a final report to be submitted to the General Assembly in June 2005.
- 43rd Session of the Commission on Social Development
(25 February 2005)
- 49th Session of the Commission on Status of Women
(2 March 2005)
- 61st Session of the Commission on Human Rights
(5 April 2005)

Initial NGO Responses to the Secretary-General’s Report in Larger Freedom
Amnesty International, Oxfam, Human Rights Watch and Global Policy Forum --
21 March 2005

In response to the Secretary-General’s report "In larger freedom," NGOs have delivered statements welcoming some of its more ambitious recommendations, especially in the areas of human rights and development. The SG’s report is to serve as the agenda acted upon by Heads of Government at a High-level Meeting in September 2005.
- Amnesty International (read)
- Human Rights Watch (read)
- Oxfam International (read)
- Global Policy Forum (read)

Strengthening the UN through Deepened Cooperation with NGOs, Private Sector and Parliament
German Development Institute -- 2005

Looking at the recommendations put forth by the Cardoso Panel on UN-Civil Society relations, this paper stresses that the UN would benefit greatly if it were to follow these proposals and become more engaged with stakeholders. This, it is argued, can be accomplished without affecting the primary role of Member States as decision-makers at the UN. (read)

Advocacy is a feature often associated with NGOs and civil society, but many also have the capacity to produce compelling and valuable research, which underpins their advocacy work. This section carries examples of recent civil society and NGO research.

The Impact of Guns on Women’s Lives
Amnesty International, International Action Network on Small Arms and Oxfam – March 2005

This joint report highlights how a gun in the home makes women unsafe. The study provides sobering statistics. According to the findings, guns in the household increases the risk of murder by 41% and increases the risk to women by 242%. In France and South Africa one in three women killed by their spouse are shot and in the USA this figure rises to two out of three. (read)

Global Corruption Report 2005
Transparency International – 16 March 2005

In this report, Transparency International reveals that the construction sector undermines economic development and threatens to constrain post-conflict reconstruction in Iraq and beyond. TI’s analysis describes the risks posed by corruption and demonstrates achievable means to curb dishonesty. (read)

Reviewing “Our Common Interest”
Catholic Centre for Overseas Development (CAFOD) – March 2005

This article by CAFOD provides analysis of the long-awaited report of the Commission for Africa (CfA). It challenges the G8 to either put up the necessary money or end the empty rhetoric on development. The report also calls for a doubling of aid; complete cancellation of debt; and challenges some of the current trade policies of the G8 countries. (read)

WTO Agreement on Agriculture: A Decade of Dumping
Institute for Agricultural and Trade Policy (IATP) – February 2005

In this publication IATP reports that, ten years after the enactment of the Agreement on Agriculture by the World Trade Organization (WTO), U.S. food companies are still exporting crops at prices below their cost of production (dumping) onto world markets. Based on an analysis of dumping calculations from 1990-2003 of US commodities, the report argues that continued dumping is making farmers around the world, including those in the US, go out of business, which leads to communities losing their livelihoods. (read)

Universal Compliance: A Strategy for Nuclear Security
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) – March 2005
George Perkovich, Jessica Tuchman Mathews, Joseph Cirincione, Rose Gottemoeller and Jon Wolfsthal

This report, prepared by a team of nonproliferation experts, offers a blueprint for rethinking the international nuclear nonproliferation regime. They offer a fresh approach to deal with state and non-state actors, nuclear weapons, and missile materials through a twenty step, priority action agenda. (read)

Planting the Rights Seed: A Human Rights Perspective on Agriculture Trade and the WTO
Institute Agriculture and Trade Policy (AITP) and 3D (Trade, Human Rights and Equitable Economy) – March 2005

This backgrounder publication is the first in a series to analyze the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Agriculture from a human rights perspective. It focuses on the main characteristics of agricultural trade, and the relevant global rules, pointing out the main human rights concerns and suggesting possible actions for human rights advocates to undertake. Future publications in this series will cover specific issues in the agriculture trade negotiations. (read)

Missing the Mark: Girls Education and the Way Forward
Centre for Global Development (CGD), International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW) and UN Millennium Project – March 2005

At this conference on 2 March 2005 in Washington DC, participants aimed to make headway towards improvements in education of children, particularly girls. The event recognized improvements to-date in some countries, but highlighted that 104 million children are still deprived of basic education around the globe and that 60 percent of this total are girls. (read)

Strengthening the Connection Between Trade & Development by Reorienting Trade Capacity Building Assistance
Interaction – 22 March 2005

Over the past year, InterAction has been sharpening its focus on international trade as it relates to development. This report builds on the premise that poverty can be reduced and broad-based growth can be advanced if trade aims to treat the disadvantaged and vulnerable populations - such as the rural poor, female heads of households and workers in threatened economic sectors - equitably. Trade Capacity Building Assistance (TCBA) presents an opportunity to promote this highly desirable outcome. (read)

More Than a Numbers Game: Ensuring the Millennium Development Goals Address Structural Injustice
CIDSE (Cooperation international pour le developpment et la solidarite) –
April 2005

Civil society organizations and governments have begun to re-evaluate their activities in the light of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to realign policies in order to maximize the chances of meeting them. Based on field research, this report outlines risks and opportunities that exist within the MDGs, and describes measures that could ensure that they address structural causes of injustice. (read)