International organization

For the academic journal, see International Organization.

An international organization (or organisation) is an organization with an international membership, scope, or presence. There are two main types:^[1]

• International nongovernmental organizations (INGOs): non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that operate internationally. These may be either:
  • International non-profit organizations. Examples include the International Olympic Committee, World Organization of the Scout Movement, International Committee of the Red Cross and Médecins Sans Frontières.
  • International corporations, referred to as multinational corporations. Examples include The Coca-Cola Company, Sony, Nintendo, McDonalds, and Toyota.

• Intergovernmental organizations, also known as international governmental organisations (IGOs): the type of organization most closely associated with the term 'international organization', these are organizations that are made up primarily of sovereign states (referred to as member states). Notable examples include the United Nations (UN), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Council of Europe (CoE), European Union (EU; which is a prime example of a supranational organization), European Patent Organization and World Trade Organization (WTO). The UN has used the term "intergovernmental organization" instead of "international organization" for clarity.^[2]

In addition, Global Public Policy Networks (GPPNs) may be considered a third category. These take various forms and may be made up of states and non-state actors. Non-state actors involved in GPPNs may include: intergovernmental organizations, states, state agencies, regional or municipal governments, in partnerships with non-governmental organizations, private companies, etc.

See also

• Centre for Studies on Federalism
• Inter-parliamentary institution and International parliament
• International association without lucrative purpose
• International Organisations Research Journal
• List of intergovernmental organizations
• Regional integration
• Regional organization
• Supranational aspects of international organizations

References

1. ^ The Penguin Dictionary of International Relations divides modern international organizations into two "basic types, the 'public' variety known as intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and the 'private' variety, the international non-governmental organization (INGOs)." (Evans, Graham, and Richard Newnham. Penguin Dictionary of International Relations. Penguin, 1998, p. 270.)
2. ^ "Intergovernmental organizations having received a standing invitation to participate as observers in the sessions and the work of the General Assembly and maintaining permanent offices at Headquarters." United Nations Department of Public Information, United Nations Secretariat.

External links

• League of Nations Search Engine, Database of International Organisations