World Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Day is annually observed across the globe on 27th February to recognise, celebrate, and honour all non-governmental and nonprofit organizations that contribute to society.
World NGO Day is celebrated in more than 89 countries and over 6 continents.
27th February 2023 marks the observance of the 10th edition of World NGO Day.
Background:
i.The World NGO Day was created by Marcis Liors Skadmanis, a United Kingdom (UK)-based social entrepreneur, in 2009.
ii.World NGO day was officially proposed by the Civil Alliance – Latvia at the IX Baltic Sea NGO Forum of the Council of the Baltic Sea States(CBSS) in 2010.
iii.On 23rd April 2012, the Baltic Sea NGO Forum Committee under the German CBSS Presidency declared and adopted the World NGO Day during the X Baltic Sea NGO Forum at Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany.
iv.The first-ever World NGO Day was observed on 27th February 2014.
- The Global Inaugural event was hosted by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, in Helsinki, Finland on 27th February 2014.
- The leaders from the United Nations(UN), European Union(EU), Nordic Council leaders and international organizations and other international organisations participated in the event.
Note: Members of Baltic Sea NGO Forum: Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Norway and Sweden.
International Statement on World NGO Day:
Since 2017, on the occasion of World NGO Day, the European External Action Service (Foreign and Defence Ministry of the European Union) issues the International Statement.
About Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO):
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), also referred to as Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), Civil Society Organisation (CSO), and Charitable organisation, are non-profit, citizen-based groups that function without any interventions from the government.
The term “Non-Governmental Organization” was created in Article 71 of the Charter of the newly formed United Nations in 1945.
About Council of the Baltic Sea States(CBSS):
The Council of the Baltic Sea States(CBSS), established in 1992, is an intergovernmental forum for cooperation between the states in the Baltic Sea Region.
Presidency (2022-2023)– Germany
Aim: To promote democratic and economic development in the Baltic Sea Region.
Members – 10 Member States and the European Union
Headquarters– Stockholm, Sweden
