The newspaper article about a United Nations conference and a school event for Amnesty International at the beginning of the daily routine, is an example of the globalisation of politics.
The political dimension of globalisation refers to international cooperation. Many policy and global issues (such as environmental protection) can no longer be adequately handled within a nation-state, therefore they are increasingly taken over by international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The following exercise is meant to introduce you to the most frequently mentioned international organizations within the globalisation debate. Three NGOs illustrate the broad range of civil society initiatives.
Here you can see seven organizational descriptions and assign them to the international organizations listed. You should then arrange the international organizations by assigning them according to the tasks and main characteristics shown.
Who am I?
I was founded in 1945 with the intention of safeguarding world peace. I am the most important global organization that has the most members worldwide, to be precise 193 member states. One of my four headquarters is located in Vienna, the others in New York, Geneva and Nairobi.
Correct answer: United Nations, UN
I'm one of the world's largest development organisations and am composed of two institutions. First, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and secondly the International Development Association (IDA). The IBRD was established in 1944 and 188 countries are members. In 1960, the IDA was launched, it has 172 member states. My headquarters is located in Washington, D.C.
Correct answer: The World Bank
I was founded in 1944 to ensure, so to speak, that the rules of international finance are upheld. I have my headquarters in Washington, D.C. 188 states are my members.
Correct answer: International Monetary Fond, IMF
I was launched by my predecessor, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1955. I have my headquarters in Geneva and have 159 Member States.
Correct answer: World Trade Organisation, WTO
I am a global non-governmental organization (NGO), founded in 1998 in France, after the then chief of the journal "Le Monde diplomatique" published a call for control of financial markets. I exist in over 50 countries.
Correct answer: Attac
I was founded in 1971 in Vancouver, following a protest against the nuclear tests which the United States carried out off the coast of Alaska. Now I am a global non-governmental organization (NGO), my global campaigns are coordinated in Amsterdam. I exist in at least 40 countries around the world.
Correct answer: Greenpeace
In 1961 I was founded in England, as the British newspaper "The Observer" made a call for an international campaign. It was about a protest against the sentencing of two Portuguese students who had toasted freedom in a café, to seven years in prison. As a global non-governmental organization (NGO), I now exist in 53 states.
