INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: THE NATURE OF INFLUENCE ON CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Abstract

The article of the definition of “international non-governmental organiza- tions” is analyzed in the article. It was found out that the vast majority of non-governmental organizations are created to solve specific problems and act within the framework of certain issues. Today these organizations are actively involved in issues related to humanitarian assistance, human rights and environmental protection, peace and security, participate in educational programs, sports projects. They provide analysis and expert evaluation of various, including global problems, act as a mechanism of “early warning” and contribute to monitoring the implementation of obligations of parties under international agreements. The author notes that one of the reasons why international nongovernmental organizations have become the main actor in the global political process is their functional focus on establishing links be- tween states and non-state segments. In this case, non-governmental organi- zations act as a non-political organization and are able to act both nationally and internationally. All this has led to the fact that, formally, in most states of the world, the barriers to the entry of non-governmental organizations at the global level have been removed. Mechanisms are being created to facilitate the international activities of such organizations. The role of international NGOs in international relations has also undergone qualitative changes due to the increase in funding through public and private grants. Today, NGOs permanently carry out many vital functions of international communication and cooperation. Under these conditions any attempts to build a unipolar world cannot be realized in practice.