ISS-USA is celebrating World NGO Day 2019 (February 27)! World NGO Day was established to celebrate the contributions employees, volunteers, members and supporters of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) make to benefit our society and inspire new supporters to become involved.
Why Celebrate World NGO Day?
NGOs are non-profit organizations working independently from a government to address a social or political issue. According to The Global Journal and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently more than 10 million NGOs operating worldwide, with 1.4 million based in the United States alone.
The term “non-governmental organization” was first used in the Charter of the newly formed United Nations in 1945. The idea for a day celebrating these organizations was first put forth on April 17, 2010 by the IX Baltic Sea NGO Forum Council of the Baltic Sea States. The first official World NGO day was hosted on February 27, 2014 with a gathering of hundreds of NGOs, representatives from the United Nations, UNESCO, the EU, and international leaders from the world over.
By 2018, World NGO Day was celebrated on 6 continents and in 89 countries.
What is International Social Service, USA’s Role In The NGO Community?
International Social Service, USA (ISS-USA) works to connect vulnerable children, adults and families separated across borders to services and support. This is accomplished through an international network of legal and social work professionals who assist those in need, study the conditions and consequences of migration and make recommendations to prevent social problems linked to migration and intercountry mobility.
In 2017, ISS-USA assisted more than 3300 vulnerable individuals across six continents. A total of 1150 children, adults, and families were re-connected, linked to social services, supported, and empowered as they crossed borders and reintegrated. Thanks to donors, another 2156 individuals received expert advice, technical assistance and training so they could support a child, adult or family in need of services.
Without NGOs like ISS-USA and their network partners, there would be thousands of vulnerable families left without access to social services.
In Conclusion…
Today we celebrate the invaluable role that non-governmental organizations like ISS-USA play in our international community. Employees, supporters, and volunteers of NGOs work tirelessly every day to provide aid to those who need it most. On World NGO Day, we commemorate the tremendous work of NGOs, their supporters, and all their efforts to advance development and make the world a better place.
Help an NGO today by donating to ISS-USA.
Learn about ISS-USA’s services.
Get involved with ISS-USA.