Introduction

This book is about non-governmental organizations, better known as ‘NGOs’ or sometimes more specifically as ‘NGDOs’. NGDOs – non-governmental development organizations – are usually understood to be not-for-profit or ‘third sector’ organizations concerned with addressing problems of poverty and social justice, and working primarily in the developing world. They do this either directly through the provision of services to people themselves or indirectly through campaigning and policy advocacy to bring about wider structural change that will improve the position of people who are poor. NGO management is an important emerging topic, since NGOs are growing in numbers and increasing their profile around the world.