NGOs' Quest for Legitimacy and Social Changes

Since the 1980s, relief operations in Africa increased by six folds as a result of the political chaos and conflicts. This created the opportunity for relief agencies (UN and NGOs alike) to support war victims, reframing their informal mandate as operators in areas where previously it was nearly impossible to intervene (Hoogvelt 2001).

Recognition of NGOs in international legal instruments, their participation in the creation and enforcement of international law are all evidence of NGOs' growing legitimacy in the system consistent with customary international law (Maragia 2002). NGOs are particularly known to influence topics surrounding environmental protection, human rights, humanitarian responses, and increasing cooptation by states as agents through which to channel development funds.

Martens (2005) underlined that many NGOs nowadays seek to shape the proceedings and outcomes of international negotiations. NGOs are most visibly active outside of the venues in which governmental representatives meet and discuss international treaties and agreements. The anti-globalization protests in Seattle and beyond attracted large numbers of nationally and internationally operating NGOs. These occasions clearly revealed their potential to affect international decision making processes. In addition, the extent and the intensity of participation on the part of NGOs in the events showed their capacity for mobility and networking across borders.

Among the advantages that NGOs can offer to international decision-making is their expertise; this is particularly the case in respect of scientific information. Cullen and Morrow (2001) argue that few politicians, bureaucrats or diplomats would dare squabble with the considered conclusions of a professional scientific NGO on the scientific aspects of a policy problem.

Closely related to the issue of expertise is that of NGOs’ independence which can enrich policy debate and strengthen implementation practices. As with expertise, the importance of independence is well illustrated by the role played by NGOs in marshalling scientific information, since most scientists are tied firmly into industry or state interests.

As far as NGOs are concerned, the information and unique practical perspective gained from networks with international organizations and contact with grassroots movements serves to augment their credibility on a broader stage (Cullen and Morrow 2001).

While NGOs for the most part deal responsibly and conscientiously with their tasks, often to great effect, problems can arise. It can often prove difficult to communicate complex environmental issues in lay terms and thus oversimplification can result from attempting to translate hard data into the stuff of a successful and attention grabbing public campaigns. There are situation where NGOs proceed to act on erroneous information as a result of this.

In addition, low capacity, corruption, political affiliation and vested interest have visited the NGO neighborhood in several instances. The anecdotal "you and me and a fax machine" may be exaggerated in many cases; however, it characterizes a true dilemma in defining the scope of which entities should qualify for NGO status.

Yet, despite their alleged anomalous status, NGOs, not only outnumber states, Multi National Companies and Intergovernmental Organizations combined, but also are becoming indispensable players in global agenda setting, and in promulgating and enforcing global norms (Maragia 2002).