IGOs v NGOs

Inter-governmental organizations…

a group of countries that work together to achieve common goals

1. Peace

3. Economic growth

4. Regional Concerns

5. Science/Climate



6. Health

7. Share resources

2. Humanitarian aid

● 193 countries from around the world
● Goal: to provide a structure to keep peace and stability

around the world

● Created after WWII
● Attempts to provide diplomatic solutions to issues (less

war)

● Can also lend military aid if a state’s sovereignty is

threatened

United Nations (UN)

Also has agencies that focus on:
● Fighting poverty
● Furthering education
● Combating hunger
● Protecting culture
● Refugee aid
● Climate protection

World Health Organization (WHO)

● Part of the UN (193 member

states)

● Authority on international health
● Goal: for all people to be protected

from diseases

● Has practically destroyed diseases

like Polio and Smallpox, and are
working on COVID-19

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

● Mutual defense agreement designed to

protect countries from attack (31 countries)

● Originally created to protect the West (North

America/Western Europe) from the Soviet
Union and the spread of communism during
the Cold War

● Began with 12 countries and has expanded

to 31 members, including previously Soviet
or Communist bloc countries

African Union (AU)

● 54 African states
● Involved in defense, peace keeping, education, politics, economic issues,
environmental problems, women’s
empowerment, etc.

● Potential for diplomatic solutions

between African nations and prevent
war

European Union (EU)

● Agreement between 27 European states
● Promotes political and economic cooperation

- provide peace, grow the economy, and
promote democracy

● To join, states must have stable economies,

have a good human rights record, and be
politically stable
Makes travel and trade easier:
● Free travel within the EU

Schengen Area (no need for a
passport)

● Common Currency – the Euro

Antarctic Treaty (1961)

● Now signed by 50 states
● Stated that Antarctica can only be

used for peaceful activities (no
war-related activities)

● All scientific findings are to made

public for the world

● Several countries who claim parts

of Antarctica, but all are signers of
the treaty

​In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and began occupying more of the country, starting the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. The war has resulted in a refugee crisis and tens of thousands of deaths.

NON- GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

● NGO Stands for Non-Governmental

Organization - Not part of any
governmental system or nation
 Independent and operate without

having to worry about political ties

● They perform many of the functions

IGOs often do – provide
humanitarian aid, promote health,
fight poverty, push for
peace/stability, etc.

● NGOs generally operate in poor and

impoverished countries/areas

EXAMPLES OF NGOS

● The Red Cross and Red Crescent societies
● Habitat for Humanity
● Doctors Without Borders
● Amnesty International
● Human Rights Watch
● Greenpeace
● Oxfam
● International Olympic Committee

NGOS

● Can react faster and often have

greater impact than IGOs because
of political neutrality (don’t have to
worry about politics) and lack of
bureaucracy (not bound by as many
rules/regulations)

● Over 10 million NGOs, each with its

own focus

● Billions of dollars are spent each year

by NGOs to help individuals and
entire countries in need