Presentation 1 IOs.ppt An introduction to the class

1. INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATION
AN INTRODUCTION
BY STEVE KORIR

2. Definition
• An entity, institution that operates and has activities or members in 2
or more countries
• An organization with production, management, sales, labour that
involves 2 or more countries
• Essentials for IOs
• Has A forum/agreement of cooperation between states
• Existence of permanent organs with powers
• Aimed at carrying out common goals

3. Classification of International Organizations
• By composition: Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) and
International Non-Governmental Organizations(INGOs)
• By Purpose: Business International Non-Governmental Organizations
(BINGOs or MNCs), Non Profit INGOs
• By Scope: Area of coverage: Regional Organizations, Global
organizations

4. Purpose/Functions
1) Helping to set the international agenda i.e., MDGs/SDGs e.g. (United Nations).
2) Mediating political bargaining e.g. (United Nations General Assembly).
3) Providing a place for political initiatives and acting as catalysts for the coalition- formation e.g. (United
Nations General Assembly).
4) They facilitate cooperation and coordination among member nations e.g. (United Nations General
Assembly).
5) Research; Collecting weather information and monitoring trends e.g. (World Meteorological organizations).
6) Delivering services and emergency aid. e.g. (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs).
7) Providing forums for bargaining and settling disputes e.g. (European Union).
8) Brokering peace in war turn countries e.g. (United Nations Peacekeeping mission).
9) Enforcing human rights and access to justice e.g. (International Court of Justice).
10) Oversees the stability of the world's monetary system and reduces poverty e.g. (International Monitory
Fund/ World Bank)

5. Rise of Modern Organizations
• Attributed to first River Commissions (Danube and Mississippi)
• These commissions were meant to have judicial powers to oversee use
of the river resources including vessels plying the rivers.
• This created avenues and the need for communication across state
borders.
• Hence development in the telecommunication sector
• International Telegraphic Union (1865) and Universal Postal Union
(1874)
• Other sectors followed with some of these organizations still in
existence today
• These organizations set the stage for The League of Nations