 | NGO Guidelines for Good Policy and Practice (Commonwealth Foundation) |
 |  | (introduction...) |
|  | Part I: NGOs: what they are and what they do |
| | 1. The rationale and purpose of this report |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 1.1 The origins and scope of this report |
| | 1.2 An overview of the report |
| | 1.3 The purpose of this report |
| | 1.4 The importance of NGOs |
| | 1.5 The global dimension |
| | 1.6 The local dimension |
| | 1.7 NGOs, government and civil society |
| | 2. The historical context |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 2.1 Care and welfare |
| | 2.2 Change and development |
| | 2.3 The historical evolution of NGO/government relationships |
| | 2.4 Welfare pluralism |
| | 2.5 The emergence of alternatives |
| | 2.6 New concerns |
| | 3. NGOs defined |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 3.1 Diverse current ways of defining NGOs |
| | 3.2 Defining ''NGO'' for the purposes of this report. |
| | 3.3 Is ''NGO'' the right term? |
| | 4. NGO activities described |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 4.1 The spectrum of NGO activities |
| | 4.2 Who and what |
| | 4.3 How |
| | 4.4 The diversity of NGO activities |
| | 5. A typology of NGOs |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 5.1 Why a typology is needed |
| | 5.2 Component 1: A descriptive typology |
| | 5.3 Organisational terms |
| | 5.4 Main forms of control |
| | 5.5 Location between government and civil society |
| | 5.6 Level of operation |
| | 5.7 Legal forms |
| | 5.8 Links with parent and subsidiary bodies |
| | 5.9 Links between NGOs |
| | 5.10 Component 2: An organisational typology |
| | 5.11 Organisations in civil society which engage in NGO-type activities |
| | 5.12 Fraudulent NGOs |
| | 6. The governance and operation of NGOs |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 6.1 The accountability of NGOs |
| | 6.2 Improving NGO governance and operations |
| | 6.3 Management |
| | 6.4 Human resource development (HRD) and training |
| | 6.5 Reviewing, monitoring and evaluating |
| | 6.6 Information |
| | 6.7 Networking and alliance-building |
| | 7. The legal and institutional frameworks within which NGOs operate |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 7.1 Freedom to associate |
| | 7.2 The political dimension |
| | 7.3 The law |
| | 7.4 Regulation |
| | 7.5 Collective, external and self-regulation |
| | 8. The framework of relationships within which NGOs operate |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 8.1 A complex pattern of relationships |
| | 8.2 Relationships with government: key issues |
| | 8.3 Relationships with government: ways forward |
| | 8.4 Relationships with funders: key issues |
| | 8.5 Relationships with funders: ways forward |
| | 8.6 Other strategies to strengthen relationships |
| | 9. The international dimension |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 9.1 Forms of international linkage |
| | 9.2 Funding links |
| | 9.3 Operational links |
| | 9.4 Partnerships |
| | 10. Conclusion and introduction to the guidelines |
| | Part II: Guidelines for Good Policy and Practice |
| | 11. Guidelines for good policy and practice on the part of Governments |
| | 12. Guidelines for good policy and practice on the part of NGOs |
| | 13. Guidelines for good policy and practice on the part of funders |
| | 14. Guidelines for good policy and practice on the part of ''North'' and international agencies |
| | 15. Implementing the guidelines: A plan of action |
| | Part III: References |
| | Annex 1: The process of research and consultation |
| | Annex 2: List of those submitting information, consulted, or responding |
| | Annexes |
| | Annex 1: The process of research and consultation |
| | Annex 2: List of those submitting information, consulted or responding |
8.3 Relationships with government: ways forward
It will be clear from the foregoing that good, understanding, and respectful relationships between NGOs and governments emerge in part from good, clear information. Mystery breeds suspicion and misunderstanding. Open and accessible information, of the kind referred to in Chapter 6, between government and NGOs, fosters good relationships.
In addition, communication between NGOs and government through regularly convened fora help a great deal. There are many examples of good practice already:
In one African country for example, there is a formal structure and process through which the government involves and seeks the views of NGOs when policies are being formed.
In other countries, government conferences accredit NGOs to attend. In at least one northern country, for example, there is a close working relationship between the Ministry concerned with overseas development and the principal NGOs, expressed through regular dialogue as well as contracts for service and grants.
Many people point to the value of the establishment of a central unit within government which co-ordinates and acts as a signpost between NGOs and all government ministries. This is the case in at least one country. But some people feel that such a unit may hinder rather than foster effective communication.
There are therefore many ways in which NGOs and governments are developing the dialogue essential to good relationships between them. In general, however, more needs to be done.
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