GEOG31090

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) emerged during colonial times in Europe with the purpose of mitigating colonial harms or preventing anti-colonial revolts. Because of such controversial roots, the role of NGOs was critically questioned over the second half of the 20th century. However, it is also true that NGOs have become essential actors in global development, promoting significant positive change in several areas. Expanding rapidly, both numerically and geographically, NGOs have played a wide range of roles: traditionally, they have been concerned with delivering relief or promoting social and economic development, but more recently, they have also assumed a larger presence in efforts to reform governance, foster democratisation and build peace.
The module introduces the study of the world of NGOs and their relationships with social movements, international organisations, and grassroots or community associations. We will critically assess their impacts on development interventions. As well as exploring diverse claims relating to local, national and international NGOs’ capacity to ‘make a difference’, the module engages with a critical literature that examines the broader social and political effects of NGOs and their work. The unit explores (a) the roots of NGOs and their rapid expansion since the 1980s and a range of accounts and conceptualisations of this rise in the NGO literature, (b) NGOs’ relationships with broader civil society, donors, social moments and state actors, (c) the operational mechanisms and challenges that affect NGO sustainability and impact (d) several current debates relating to NGOs’ development roles and broader political effects including the rise of ‘global civil society’ and global advocacy, NGOs’ actions on human rights, humanitarianism, and peacebuilding. The module will explore these debates by drawing on several local, national, and international case studies. At the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able to critically analyse the role of NGOs and be prepared to work in the sector to make positive changes in the social world.