NGOs and other International/Regional Institutions

Tied Aid Debate Tests Donor Ambitions Before Busan Summit (November 1, 2011)

The 4^th High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness that will be held in Busan, South Korea in late November will look at the controversial “tied aid” requirements, where donors insist aid is spent on goods and services provided by companies based in their own countries. The European Network on Debt and Development has report that $20-$25 billion of aid is given in this form and fails to improve developing countries’ economies, reduces the purchasing power of aid distributors, and increases the risk of unsuitable aid programs. (Guardian)

Civil Society Urges G20 to Focus on Rights at Financial and Climate Negotiations (October 28, 2011)

Ahead of the upcoming G20 Summit in France, a group of NGOs, including CIVICUS, DAWN, and the Center for Economic and Social Rights, have prepared a statement urging G20 leaders to remember human rights when debating financial regulation and climate change. The statement calls on leaders to take measures which requires all parties to take responsibility and acknowledge universal human rights. (Social Watch)

Carving Out a New Aid Order at Busan (October 4, 2011)

In this IPS Terraviva interview, the director of IBON International Tony Tujan suggests the possibility of an “aid revolution” at the upcoming Busan high level forum on Aid Effectiveness. Tujan argues that with the rise of South-South cooperation amongst emerging powers such as China, India and Brazil, there will be a crucial opportunity to stop the continuation of a “Northern-dominated aid architecture.”

NGOs Must Play Key Role in Rio+20 Summit on Sustainable Development (August 26, 2011)

In this IPS Terraviva interview, Michael Renner of the Worldwatch Institute emphasizes the important role of NGOs in the lead up to the Rio+ 20 conference in Brazil 2012. Renner highlights that NGOs need to hold governments accountable for not following through on commitments to sustainable development. According to Renner, “if the public cannot hold governments and corporations accountable, then commitments may never properly be translated into action.” Renner correctly identifies the need for a strong grassroots presence that advocates for and represents a non-governmental perspective at global conferences.

Islamic Civil Society Organizations Form Humanitarian Forum (October 29, 2005)

Since 9/11, Western governments and civil society have increasingly scrutinized Islamic NGOs. As a result, a British-based Islamic NGO has convened an ongoing five-year forum for NGOs based in the Middle East. In this forum, Muslim organizations will collaborate, and learn world standards for civil society that they would otherwise not be informed of, since distrust from other NGOs often blocks vital lines of communication. (Yemen Observer)

African Civil Society and the African Union: Time for Self-Organization? (June 16, 2005)

At the 2005 African Union (AU) Heads of State Summit, the AU opted, without explanation, not to sponsor a parallel civil society summit for African NGOs. Pambazuka questions why "at a time when rock musicians and pop stars across the West can claim to have influence on the future of Africa," African NGOs have been silenced on the issues most pertinent to their existence. In order to deflect the risk of obsolescence, African NGOs must organize quickly to coordinate their own, independent meeting.

NGOs and the OECD (June 2003)

This article says that the OECD takes an interest in increasing its engagement with civil society. The article also describes the mechanisms within the OECD that NGOs can use for advocacy. (BOND)

Global Policy Forum