Nongovernmental Organizations

Directories, Clearinghouses, Networks, and Search Engines

Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations-- "Independent, international, non-profit membership association of non-governmental organizations. It facilitates the participation of NGOs in United Nations debates and decision-making... to ensure that NGO voices be heard throughout the international arena."

Connexions Online-- From Connexions Information Sharing Services, a non-profit "organization working to connect individuals and organizations working for social change with each other, with information and ideas, and with the general public... features information about resources and organizations fostering democratization, economic justice, environmental responsibility, civil liberties, and the creation and preservation of community."

Google Non-governmental Organizations Search-- Searches are limited to contents of major NGO websites.

Idealist-- Global clearinghouse of nonprofit and volunteering resources, listing thousands of nonprofit and community organizations in scores of countries, searchable by name, location or mission, with much information on job, internship, and volunteer opportunities.

NGO Café-- "Meeting place for NGOs to discuss, debate and disseminate information on their work, strategies and results," that also serves as the WWW Virtual Library for NGOs. Provides an introduction to NGO work in many themes and spheres of activity, with suggestions and networks for success, from the Global Development Research Center.

NGO Database-- From Duke University Libraries, a searchable compendium of some 700 NGOs, selected mainly according to the research interests of Duke students, faculty, and staff.

One World-- "Online media gateway for independently produced news on a host of issues that impact people worldwide... both a search engine and online community for organizations and individuals seeking in-depth information or guidance on how to become involved in addressing challenges facing people worldwide."

UN and Civil Society-- Information about the UN's Non-Governmental Liaison Service and a directory of the thousands of NGOs and other civil society organizations affiliated as partners with the UN in national and global issues.

Union of International Associations-- A large master index with a wealth of information about intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, by the Brussels group responsible for tracking them. You can search for specific IGOs and NGOs through the International Organizations and Civil Society page or the Link Directory. Research documents about international organization are also available online.

World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations-- "International organization uniting NGOs worldwide in the cause of advancing peace and global well being... helps to provide the mechanism and support needed for NGOs to connect, partner, share, inspire, and multiply their contributions to solve humanity’s basic problems." Note the searchable Worldwide NGO Directory.

• Amnesty International-- The foremost NGO in the protection of human rights worldwide. Many publications online.

• Bretton Woods Project-- NGO that works to monitor and reform the World Bank and IMF, tracking key policy statements and reports, and providing critiques and early warnings used by NGOs across the world. Issues analysis, glossary, briefings, reports, newsletter, links.

• Changemakers-- Organization dedicated to "the rapidly growing world of social entrepreneurship. Its mission is to provide inspiration, resources, and opportunities for those interested in social change throughout the world." Features journal, library, viewpoints, multimedia, and creative resourcing sections.

• Foreign Policy Association-- Excellent searchable site from a leading non-profit, non-partisan organization in American foreign policy and world affairs education. Provides objective publications, programs, and forums to increase community-level awareness of international matters that shape the U.S.'s future, and promotes citizen involvement in those issues. Information on the Great Decisions community discussions program, online discussion forums, insightful foreign policy blogs, analytical articles, searchable documents library, issue guides, reference maps, video streams, free e-mail newsletters, educators and students sections, more.

• Global Governance Watch-- "Joint project of the American Enterprise Institute and the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies... to raise awareness of the growing global governance movement and to address issues of transparency and accountability at the United Nations, in NGOs, and related international organizations. In particular, the project monitors issues of national sovereignty and the ways in which the agendas of international organizations influence domestic politics."

• Institute for Cultural Diplomacy-- "With headquarters in the United States and Germany... one of Europe's leading organisations in the field of cultural exchange... [whose] research and programmes in the area of cultural communication and rapprochement offer viable alternatives to enhance traditional diplomatic policy." Posts information, studies, and opportunities for "inter- and intra- cultural dialogue between different cultures."

• InterAction-- The American Council for Voluntary International Action is a coalition of more than 180 U.S.-based nonprofit organizations working worldwide. This site links to many other international sites, and has press releases, situation reports on hot spots, archives of the magazine Monday Developments, and updates on legislative issues that impact international development and humanitarian work.

• International Foundation for Election Systems-- Private, nonprofit U.S. organization supporting electoral and other democratic institutions in emerging, evolving, and experienced democracies--"one of the world's premier democracy and governance assistance organizations." Excellent electoral information and analysis. See the Election Guide for election news and analysis worldwide.

• International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance-- Aims to promote and advance sustainable democracy, improve and consolidate electoral processes world-wide, and provide a forum for discussions and action among individuals and organizations involved in democracy promotion. This excellent site from Sweden offers news, analyses, and databases. Note especially Women in Politics and the Voter Turnout Website. Also check out the several partner projects, such as the Administration and Cost of Elections (ACE) Project.

• International Trade Union Confederation-- "The ITUC’s primary mission is the promotion and defence of workers’ rights and interests, through international cooperation between trade unions, global campaigning and advocacy within the major global institutions." Posts news and analysis of a wide variety of labor-related issues around the world and the Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights.

• Partners of the Americas-- A network of citizens from Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States, who volunteer to work together to improve the lives of people across the region, through nonpolitical, community-based activities.

• Population Reference Bureau-- Excellent for authoritative data and analysis on world, regional, and national population and demographics trends. Features a large downloadable graphics bank of PowerPoint presentation graphics. Note their Annual Report and their annual World Population Data Sheet for "up-to-date demographic, health, and environment data for all the countries and major regions of the world." Search for data and analysis by topic, region, or country. The handy DataFinder has data on "133 population, health, and environment variables for more than 220 countries, 28 world regions and sub-regions, and the world as a whole." The quarterly Population Bulletins on selected topics are very useful.

• Third World Network-- Reports and angles on development issues from the perspectives of the developing countries, from an independent non-profit international network of organizations and individuals involved in issues relating to development, the Third World, and North- South issues. Fine site covering many issues, with numerous publications online and links to others off-site.