ABSTRACT
The task of defining an international nongovernmental organization (INGO) is complicated due to the myriad of confusing synonyms and acronyms that are used in official documents and the academic literature. This entry clarifies different applications and understandings of the term, and proposes a succinct definition of an INGO. It also examines the history of INGOs from the seventeenth century to the present. Furthermore, there is an overview of the activities of four different categories of INGOs: humanitarian relief, development, advocacy, and monitoring organizations. Lastly, there is a brief introduction to some of the controversies that have dogged the sector.
