NGO stands for Non-governmental organization. NGOs play an essential role in helping the people of underprivileged in society. World NGO day is celebrated worldwide on 7th February of every year to recognize, honour and celebrate the fundamental contributions of NGOs.
International NGO day is celebrated for many years since it is a non-profit organization that helps people; by celebrating International NGO day, many people will have an idea of the sacrifices and self-acts of the people working in the NGOs.
Let us look into the History of World NGO Day:
World NGO Day and World NGO Day celebrations were started in 2009 by Marcis Liors Skadmanis. He was a social entrepreneur. The first International NGO Day was observed for the first time in this history on 27th February 2014. An official holiday on National NGO day was decided and declared in 2010 by the 12 member countries of the Baltic Sea NGO Forum. The NGO received international recognition in 2014 from the United Nations, European Union, and other international organizations.
The United Nations Department of Global Communications defined an NGO as a non-profit and voluntary citizen’s group set up at international, national and local levels to address all kinds of issues in support of the welfare of the people.
Even though NGOs started in the 18th century, they were named Non-governmental organizations by the 1945 Charter of the United Nations under Article 71.
How are NGOs Funded?
NGOs work independently from the government. They are funded by product sales, grants, membership dues, private donations and sometimes government also voluntarily gives donations. Some people voluntarily join NGOs and help people by giving money or providing services. Nowadays, due to the celebration of NGO days nationally and internationally, many people are coming forward to contribute to society.
Importance of World NGO Day
The people who are part of NGOs help people in crisis intervention, environmental research, medical aid and financial assistance, etc.; whether the disaster is artificial or natural, NGOs always come forward and continue supporting people in need. NGOs expand through innovation, volunteerism and collaboration. That is why NGO Day is an important day globally and at national levels.
World NGO Day Theme-2023
Every year, world NGO Day celebrated with the theme of bringing awareness among people so that they can voluntarily come forward and become a part of the NGO to work towards developing a better society. The world NGO Day theme for 2023 yet to announced.
World NGO Day 2022 Theme
Many people came forward on the day and shared their experiences. The main theme was to motivate people, bring awareness to them, and explain the important role of every individual in working towards the development and improvement of society.
Important Quotes of NGO Day
1. “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” – Muhammad Ali.
2. “An effort made for the happiness of others lifts us above ourselves.” – Lydia Maria Child.
3. “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill.
4. “Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.” – Plato
5. “The work of volunteers impacts all our lives, even if we are not aware of it.” – Anthony Worrall-Thompson
6. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
7. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi.
As a part of National NGO Day, let us see a few successful stories:
1) A few NGOs came forward to help the widows in rural families by helping them with some work that can done from homes like making candles, preparing paper plates, making home-made chocolates, tailoring etc.,
2) Rainwater conservation helped many women in Rajasthan and helped them in getting water quickly without travelling long distances.
3) Lotus Foundation NGO helped many children with their education by providing free books and other stationery.
4) Veni Foundation provides free food to pregnant women every month 5th day with all the required nutritious food needed for a pregnant woman.
5) Some NGOs are helping rural children by conducting free English and Computer classes on Saturdays and Sundays.
6) Some NGOs are fighting to stop child marriages and educate people about the importance of girl-child education.
7) Some NGOs are helping the elderly with fruits and medicines distribution every month.
8) Some NGOs are helping orphans with education and free clothes.
9) Some NGOs are coming forward to help farmers understand modern farming.
10) With the initiative taken by the NGO, many rural schools rebuilt, and parents also given counselling on the importance of education for future generations.
If we take a list of the count of works done by the NGOs’, they are countless. If time permits, we can also take part and become a part of an NGO and help our society and our country to progress.