What is a Non-Governmental Organization?

(source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-non-governmental-organization.htm)
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a type of non-profit organization that works to promote
human good while operating separately from any national government. The definition of an NGO
varies slightly from nation to nation, but most NGOs fall within this framework. Because of the
somewhat nebulous definition, the total number of NGOs worldwide is unknown, with a wide range
of estimates available.
Some NGOs work with governments and the United Nations to accomplish their ends, with
certain NGOs being granted consultancy status by the United Nations. Consultancy status allows
an NGO to use the knowledge and supplies of the United Nations to work effectively in its area of
expertise. It also permits the United Nations to allow an NGO to take over humanitarian efforts if
the NGO is deemed competent to handle them.
NGOs come in all shapes and sizes. The largest NGO is the International Red Cross/Red
Crescent Society, which provides health care and disaster relief worldwide. The Red Cross was
founded in 1863, making it one of the older NGOs. Most NGOs were founded in the second half of
the twentieth century, when citizens became concerned that their governments were not meeting
the needs of the poor, hungry, and sick. The Red Cross is an example of an international
operational NGO, one which implements policies and procedures directly to improve living
conditions. Amnesty International is another example of an NGO which works with the United
Nations and various governments to promote global human rights. Amnesty International is an
international advocacy NGO, primarily concerned with raising awareness and creating policy
change.
NGOs also usually have three areas they might influence. Community NGOs work within a
small regional area, while national NGOs work on a national basis. International NGOs, of which
there were an estimated 40,000 in 2006, work globally to effect policy change and improve
situations on the ground. Some NGOs integrate operations and advocacy in their work.

Some NGOs have large budgets supported by a variety of sources, while others work with
limited funding. Many NGOs also establish partnerships with other organizations including the
United Nations, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund. These partnerships make the
NGOs stronger while ensuring that the same humanitarian work is not being performed twice,
conserving valuable resources. NGOs run the gamut from Christian organizations to profoundly
atheist ones, and individuals interested in contributing to the work of an NGO are encouraged to
research the organization so that they understand how funds or supplies are being used.
Why do we call NGOs Non-governmental Organisations?
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What is the purpose of NGOs?
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Think of 3-5 Hungarian and international NGOs that you know. What do they deal with?
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Would you work for an NGO? Which one would you choose? Why?
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What Is a Trade Union?

(souce: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-trade-union.htm)
Also known as a labor union in some places around the world, a trade union is an organization
that is designed to function as an advocate and protector for workers engaged in a specific trade.
This advocacy often takes the form of negotiating benefits and wage requirements for the
members of the union, as well as lobbying state and federal governments for legislation that
protects the rights of those workers. A trade union is also often concerned with the working
conditions of its members, especially in relation to the safety of those conditions.
Depending on the nature of the trade union, the leadership of the organization may also
work with employers and state officials on several other matters of concern to their members. For
example, union leadership may work with employers in order to structure processes to manage
complaints in a manner that is considered equitable to all parties concerned. In like manner, trade
union officials may work with employers to create and maintain standards for hiring and processes
for terminating employees who are members of the union. In some situations, unions may work
with employers to provide limits on the number of hours each week that an employee is allowed to
work, a factor that is often related to creating a safe working environment.
A trade union will often maintain a lobby that represents the interests of its members in
terms of new and existing laws. In this capacity, a union may work with members of specific
political parties or lawmakers currently serving in the government to draft and support legislation
that protects the rights of their constituency. It is not unusual for a trade union to also support a
candidate for a specific office during an election year.
The value of a trade union is somewhat controversial in todays world. Proponents of trade
or labor unions believe they are necessary to ensure that employees are treated equitably by all
and not just some employers. Often, supporters point to the long history of reforms in the
workplace made due to the presence of a strong union. Critics sometimes take the stance that the
idea of a union is obsolete in todays world, especially in nations where federal and state laws

already protect the rights of workers in general. At times, these critics will also point to situations in
the past where unions were compromised by influence from outside forces and did not provide full
support to their members. While the debate on unions continue, industries that are currently
unionized are likely to remain so for many years to come.
What is the purpose of trade unions? What is the basis on which they are formed?
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What is the main concern of trade unions?
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What trade unions can you think of in Hungary? What can they do if their requests are
disregarded?
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What may cause problems in connection to trade unions according to this article? Can you
add anything on the basis of your life experience?
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