International Organizations: Introduction
See Also
International OrganizationWhat is an NGO? What role does it play in civil society?International organisationsRelations with the United NationsThere are two types of international organizations: governmental and non-governmental.
- International governmental organizations (or IGOs) are associations of states established by a treaty to pursue the common aims of their member states. An intergovernmental organization has a legal personality separate from its member states, and can enter into legally binding agreements with other IGOs or with other states. The United Nations and the Organization of American States are examples of international governmental organizations.
- The other category of international organization is the non-governmental organization (or NGO). NGOs are made up of private citizens. NGOs do not enter into treaties or other international agreements. The World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace and Amnesty International are examples of non-governmental organizations.
Research Tip
Research guides can save you a lot of time because someone else has already identified the best sources and research methods. Some useful guides to researching international organizations are the ASIL Guide to International Organizations and the Non-governmental Organizations Research Guide (Perkins Library, Duke University, Public Documents & Maps Department).
