The word NGO is the abbreviation of "Non-government organization" in English, which is literally translated as "non-governmental organization" in Chinese. Refers to non-profit social organizations other than the government and enterprises. The earliest formal use was at the beginning of the founding of the United Nations. In order to emphasize the participation of international organizations created without intergovernmental agreements or other social organizations different from governments and enterprises in international affairs, an NGO office was established under the Economic and Social Council. Different organizations and institutions also have specific explanations for NGOs. For example, the World Bank defines non-profit organizations as "non-governmental organizations engaged in poverty alleviation, environmental protection, provision of basic social services or community development".

At present, the promotion and influence of non-governmental organizations on social development is comparable to that of governments and enterprises, and they are becoming the third pillar in social politics, economy, environment and other fields.

NGO refers to non-profit non-governmental organizations such as associations, societies, foundations, charitable trusts, non-profit companies (social enterprises) or other legal persons that are not regarded as government departments under a specific legal system. At present, the most popular definition of NGO was put forward by Professor Solomon of Johns Hopkins University.

Ngos may be concerned about the public interests of the whole society, or the interests of certain ethnic groups (such as the interests of vulnerable groups and industries). ) Non-governmental organizations are playing an increasingly important role in social development. Because the decision-making of modern government is procedural, and non-governmental organizations do not have that strict procedure, the response to some social problems may break through the shackles of government bureaucracy. With the development of society, the market mechanism of chasing profits will inevitably form some neglected corners. For the society, it is very necessary to invest in these fields, and it needs the power outside the enterprise to invest, which may be the government or the power outside the government. In this sense, NGOs are also called "the third sector".

Ngos should have the following six basic characteristics:

1, regularity (legal identity registered according to national laws);

2. Independence (neither a part of government agencies nor a board of directors led by government officials);

3. Non-profit (not accumulating profits for its owners);

4. Autonomy (there are internal management procedures that are not subject to external control);

5. Volunteer service (voluntary participation in practical activities and organizational affairs management to a great extent);

6. Public welfare (serving some public purposes and contributing to the public).

Countries with different cultural backgrounds have different names for NGOs, which are called "-NPO" or "community-based organizations or community groups" in the United States. The federal tax law of the United States stipulates that non-profit organizations can be exempted from tax, while the title of "community organizations" is exempt from the suspicion of competition with the government. Europeans also call it "non-profit organization" (NPO) and "community organization"

China non-governmental organizations

When defining "China NGO" (C-NGO), we should not only learn from its traditional ideas, but also base ourselves on China, fully consider the national conditions, social and cultural differences between China and the West, and fully consider the gradual deepening of the rule of law and the complex social reality in China. In this sense, it is a pity that we can't give a complete, accurate, rigorous and comprehensive concept of "NGO" in China here.

In China, according to official documents, "NGO" is usually translated into "NGO", so the legal person closest to the above definition is generally "NGO". Under the current legal framework and the corresponding government function management system in China, "non-governmental organizations" are mainly social groups, private non-enterprise units and foundations.

The official names of these social organizations in China are non-governmental organizations, including social groups, foundations and private non-enterprise units. In addition, there are other forms of such organizations in China. For example, unregistered organizations in the form of project organization registered in the industrial and commercial departments and organizations engaged in public welfare undertakings.