Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) in Global Health

Global health refers to “inherently global health issues,” that is, health-determining phenomena that transcend national borders and political jurisdictions, such as globalization and climate change. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) include charitable and religious associations that mobilize private funds for health care, family planning services, food supply, and community development. They also include independent cooperatives, community associations, water-user societies, women’s groups, and pastoral associations. This chapter presents the diversity and various roles of NGOs in global health including their goals and strategies, to encourage new thinking on how NGOs can further their impact in global health diplomacy. To contribute to shared global health objectives, NGOs should work in close partnership with a wide array of international agencies and institutions to shape global health policies and to fund, implement, and evaluate programs. Furthermore, their participation in international organizations ensures the latter’s political legitimacy. Thus, participation of international public opinion and the mobilizing powers of NGOs are an essential and basic element in the multilateral representation of the modern world.