ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book examines NGO work at different levels and shows how NGO development workers can learn and achieve useful things at any point in their working lives, in small or large organisations. In the West, too, the rules under which NGOs operate are getting gradually tighter. For example, in the UK, it has become increasingly difficult for NGOs to campaign openly against government policy during election campaigns. NGOs have an official status, usually an office and paid staff, the experience of organising events, producing and distributing information. They may even have special funds that can be quickly mobilised in case of an emergency. All this means that they are vital allies for social movements, sometimes even more useful than other less flexible bodies like trade unions and political parties.
