Non-governmental organizations in Latin America

Abstract

NGOs first appeared in Latin America in the 1950s, imbued with developmentalist ideology. They developed in the context of authoritarian regimes, as nuclei of social initiatives working in economic and political resistance with the most disadvantaged sectors of the population. In general, they have a common outlook, one which involves "popular education" activities carried out at the grassroots level. Their main objectives are to promote participation, autonomy, and pluralism. NGOs can be differentiated based on the types of projects they prioritize as well as by the groups benefiting from their actions. Given their vocation of promoting the organization and strengthening of civil society, and considering their numbers, NGOs can become significant actors in achieving and guaranteeing democracy in Latin America. The recent attempts to form more permanent networks of NGOs bolster their chances of becoming actors that count in the political and social relations among the countries of Latin America.