Human Rights and NGOs Overview

Human Rights and NGOs

• The UN cannot enforce human rights violations or compel compensation for victims.
• Critics argue that human rights development is heavily influenced by a small group of Western nations, prioritizing individual rights over collective ones.
• Examples of evolving human rights include the rights to democracy, development, internet access, and digital privacy.

NGOs: General Information

• NGOs are non-governmental organizations independent from governments, though sometimes receiving government funding.
• They are usually non-profit and primarily involved in humanitarian work.
• Some NGOs act as lobby groups for corporations, such as the World Economic Forum.
• Globalization increased NGO importance in the 20th century, impacting movements like anti-slavery and women's suffrage.
• The World Bank categorizes NGO activity into operational (design and implementation) and advocacy groups.

NGO Advocacy and Operations

• Advocacy NGOs defend or promote particular causes (such as human rights) to influence international organizations and gain media attention.
• Operations vary by scale, from local to international.
• Charity models are top-down, focusing on beneficiaries receiving aid.
• Participatory models involve local involvement in projects.
• Empowerment models focus on helping people understand and control their social & economic circumstances.
• Professional NGOs bring together people with shared interests (such as culture or sports).

NGO Aims and Funding

• NGOs emphasize humanitarian issues, development aid, and sustainable development.
• NGO funding often comes from donations, corporate funding, private donations, and international institutions/national governments.
• Some NGOs prioritize avoiding government funding, such as Greenpeace.
• NGOs are often accused of being instruments for specific countries' foreign policies or not fully representing the world's perspectives.

NGO Staff and Funding

• Some NGOs rely on paid staff, while others use volunteers.
• NGO staff's pay is generally lower on average than those in for-profit organizations or governments performing similar work.
• NGOs also use international or local staff in developing countries.
• Funding for NGO activities has increased, with the Office of Refugee Resettlement's budget rising.
• Concerns exist about NGO CEO salaries and whether funding is used appropriately.

NGO Examples (Oxfam, WWF, Greenpeace)

• Oxfam (founded in 1942): Fights poverty and famine, has faced criticism for sexual abuse allegations and its acceptance of corporate funding.
• WWF (founded in 1961): Focuses on nature preservation, facing accusations of human rights violations and greenwashing.
• Greenpeace (founded in 1971): Promotes environmental protection and has effectively campaigned against issues like illegal fishing.