Topic 17 Non-State Institutions International Organizations

Content 6 Cultural, Social, and Political Institution
Topic 17 Non-State Institutions: International Organizations
Topic 17: Non-state Institutions: International Organizations
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lesson, the learners should be able to:
 define international organizations,
 explain the functions of international organizations, and
 discuss the significance of international organizations in society.
Questions:
You may be familiar with groups that are actively existing across various nations. Seemingly, there is a headquarter in
every country for such groups.
 What are these groups?

 What are the reasons they are situated across many countries?
Organizations that have branches in numerous countries are known as international organizations. These organizations
play a prominent role in facilitating global and international changes and advocacies that demand the betterment of a
certain cause. In this lesson, you will learn more about international organizations and their contributions to society.
What are International Organizations?

International Organizations are groups that promote voluntary cooperation among its members. These started out
during the rise of city-states in Greece, but significantly emerged during the French Revolution. Further improvements on
the purpose and functions of international organizations were laid out during the early 19th century when nations decided
that such a group is needed to preserve the status quo and avoid inter- and intra-state conflicts.
At present, international organizations may or may not be handled by the government. It was reported that there are 6,000
non-government organizations compared to only 250 under the government.
International bureaucracies manage International Government Organizations (IGOs), but authority remains ultimately in
the state. IGOs work together with non-government international organizations to successfully reach a common goal.
However, note that in this lesson, international organizations are only taken and discussed in the context of non-state or
non-government organizations.
What are International Organizations?

The following conditions should be met for one group to be called an international organization:
 There must be membership from at least three states or nations.

 Activities must occur across several states.
 Members must have formally agreed to be part of the organization.
Apart from the abovementioned conditions, international organizations must also follow the rules set by the International
Law Commission to function legally as a recognized international organization.
Understanding Culture, Society and Politics Page 1

Examples of Non-Government International Organizations

 United Nations Environment Program
 European Union
 World Health Organization
Functions of International Organizations

 an acquaintance of information: International organizations have the capability to access relevant information
for a specific cause. They also have the capability to monitor trends and progresses of longitudinal empirical
researches.
 provide service and aid: These organizations, especially the bigger ones, provide various types of services to
people depending on the cause. For example, an international organization tackling health may provide free
vaccines to a specific nation hit by a dangerous epidemic.
 provide avenues for communication: Being part of an international organization means that members from
different parts of the world get to easily voice out their concerns to one another. This may lead to easier
communication and work flow.
 provide avenues for settling disputes: Because international organizations’ members continuously
communicate with each other, disputes and misunderstandings over certain issues and concerns may easily be
resolved. As such, organizations provide opportunities for communication through regular meetings and updates.
Significance of International Organizations in Society

International organizations establish a connection to issues not only occurring in a certain nation, but also across the
organizations’ various locations. Because of this, an international issue can be made into a cause.
People of different societies and nations—not limited to social class or status—are made part of a global community that
will aim to resolve, as one unified group, identified international conflicts as well as provide outcomes suitable to address
global issues being tackled.
Key Points:
 International Organizations are groups that promote voluntary cooperation among its members.
 The following conditions should be met for one group to be called an international organization: (1) there must
be membership from at least three states or nations, (2) activities must occur across several states, and (3)
members must have formally agreed to be part of the organization.
 Functions of international organizations include: an acquaintance of information, provide service and aid,
provide avenues for communication, and provide avenues for settling disputes.
 International organizations establish a connection to issues not only occurring in a certain nation but also across
the organizations’ various locations. Because of this, an international issue can be made into a cause.
.
Activity:
 Get a piece of paper and list down all international groups that you are familiar with. Take your time in doing so.
Once finished, search online a list of other international organizations you may not be familiar with.

Points for Reflection:
 Long-existing international groups have already made a name for themselves on the world stage. With many
issues and challenges to tackle, each international group had made a specific focus on their cause, function, and
existence.
If you were to put up your own international group, which countries would you choose to put it up? What cause
will you advocate?
 How does an international organization operate if it is situated in different countries?
 International organizations may vary in size—dependent on the number of offices and countries they partnered
with. Some organizations are big, with headquarters in more than 100 countries.
 International organizations, like development agencies, may also put a focus on developed countries. While most
international organizations’ agendas are focused more on developing countries, the aim to target a rich and well-
developed country is also plausible.

Topic 17 Non-State Institutions International Organizations

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Content 6 Cultural, Social, and Political Institution

Topic 17 Non-State Institutions: International Organizations

Topic 17: Non-state Institutions: International Organizations

 What are these groups?

What are International Organizations?

What are International Organizations?

 There must be membership from at least three states or nations.

Understanding Culture, Society and Politics Page 1

Examples of Non-Government International Organizations

Functions of International Organizations

Significance of International Organizations in Society

Understanding Culture, Society and Politics Page 2

Points for Reflection:

 How does an international organization operate if it is situated in different countries?

Understanding Culture, Society and Politics Page 3

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