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nongovernmental organization
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nongovernmental organization

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Also known as: NGO
Written by
Margaret P. Karns
Professor of Political Science, Univesrity of Dayton, Ohio. Coauthor of The United Nations in the Post-Cold War Era and International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance.
Margaret P. Karns
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Last Updated: • Article History

News •

NGO commissions water facilities in Kodaikanal villages • Jan. 20, 2025, 9:45 PM ET (The Hindu)
NGO criticizes Belgium’s railway Holocaust report for failing survivors • Jan. 20, 2025, 2:23 PM ET (Jerusalem Post)
NGO seeks 24×7 domestic connectivity, more international flights from Surat • Jan. 18, 2025, 10:52 AM ET (The Indian Express)
Dozens of migrants may have drowned in attempt to cross to Spain, NGO says • Jan. 16, 2025, 4:22 AM ET (Reuters)
Delhi Police links bomb hoax to ‘pro-Afzal’ NGO and party; AAP says dirty politics • Jan. 14, 2025, 9:17 PM ET (The Indian Express)

nongovernmental organization (NGO), voluntary group of individuals or organizations, usually not affiliated with any government, that is formed to provide services or to advocate a public policy. Although some NGOs are for-profit corporations, the vast majority are nonprofit organizations. Some NGOs, particularly those based in authoritarian countries, may be created or controlled by governments. By most definitions, political parties and criminal or violent guerrilla organizations are not considered NGOs. The issues addressed by NGOs run the gamut of human concerns (e.g., human rights, environmental protection, disaster relief, and development assistance), and the scope of their activities may be local, national, ...(100 of 924 words)

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