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International Non-Governmental Organisations Commitment to Accountability

About the Charter

Questions and Answers

As drafters of the INGO Accountability Charter, we believe it speaks for itself. It describes who we are, how we work, what our values and commitments are, and how we honour these. We recommend that everyone begin by taking 10 minutes and read the charter. Nonetheless, we recognise that there will be many questions. For this reason, we have prepared the following %u2018Q&A%u2019 which we hope will respond to the main questions you may have.

Gerd Leipold, Greenpeace International
Jeremy Hobbs, Oxfam International
Burkhard Gnärig, International Save the Children Alliance
Irene Khan, Amnesty International

  1. Why have this charter?

    All NGOs, whether they know it or not, have a code of conduct. Sometimes this is unwritten and amounts to traditional values and behaviours. Often it consists of a collection of sometimes unlinked campaign, human resource, and fund-raising policies and practices. It might also be an %u2018own organisation%u2019 code, developed to integrate the former. Codes, written or unwritten, are a key part of our organisation%u2019s DNA.

    This INGO charter has two main purposes. The first is to give an overall framework for current approaches that better explains %u2013 to ourselves, to our supporters, and to others - who we are, what we do and why we do it, and how we do it. By developing and signing this with other large international NGOs, we underline the importance we collectively attach to maintaining our high standards of professional conduct and accountability.

    The second purpose is to ensure that we keep up-to-date with (and even ahead of) evolving public perceptions and expectations of INGOs, especially as many INGOs take an increasingly prominent role in public debates, through advocacy and campaigns. Like all other organisations, INGOs need to be open about their goals, values, activities and achievements, and how they link their policy positions to their publicly accepted %u2018mandate.%u2019 We need to recognise also that the non-profit sector is coming under closer scrutiny, both from those who want us to flourish, and those who may seek to curtail our activities.

    Some of the drivers for greater transparency and accountability have apparently been sparked by incidents involving non-profit organisations. For example, instances of financial mismanagement by one NGO that damage the reputation of all. Unsubstantiated ideologically-driven campaign messages can damage the reputations of legitimate businesses, leading to demands for greater accountability. Concerns about coordination in emergencies are legitimate questions when there are large amounts of public money involved. Like organisations in any sector, NGOs will inevitably make some mistakes, wittingly or unwittingly, and as they become increasingly visible, so demands for accountability will increase.

    We should not avoid or fear the trend towards greater accountability. After all, much of our own work seeks greater accountability on the part of governments and the business sector. We have nothing to fear from reminding ourselves, and the public, that we are already open, transparent and professional organisations observing high ethical standards, are happy to be held accountable for our actions, and open to improving our own performance. At a time when public trust in NGOs is far greater than for government or business, it is vital to preserve that trust by maintaining and improving our own standards. International codification of these through the Charter is an important way to achieve this.

  2. What other similar charters are there, and how do they compare with this one?

    Over the last decade, groups of NGOs around the world, particularly those in the development field working in a specific region or on a shared theme, have been recognising the value of having some form of joint codes or standards. These codes have been developed to serve dual purposes. First, to set and maintain high and consistent standards internally and, second, to demonstrate their accountability to the people they work with, as well as to their supporters, donors, local authorities and others.

    By adopting clear principles of operation, and being transparent about their goals, program activities and governance arrangements, NGOs have been using such instruments to improve their performance, enhance their recognition and legitimacy, and optimise funding support.

    A list of some of the many codes and initiatives can be found at the following websites:

    In some cases %u2013 affecting mainly NGOs working in the development area and using public funding - agreement to a code of conduct is a pre-condition for government or foundation funding. Additionally, in most countries where there are numerous NGOs there is specific national legislation to ensure financial accountability and good governance.

    This charter shares many of the features of codes developed by other NGOs. While our charter has many similarities with other codes, including codes developed for the business sector, it has been developed to meet the special needs of the larger international NGOs which work across a diverse range of countries, cultures and issues.

    It was these differences, including our strong rights-based approach and engagement in advocacy, which prompted us to develop our own approach.

  3. What is special about this charter?

    The INGO charter is unique in several respects.

    It has been developed by INGOs, for INGOs, at the initiative of INGOs. While large NGOs were the initiators, it is also applicable and open to smaller organisations. By taking a pro-active stance, we seek to be clear among ourselves about our own high standards, and position ourselves well to respond to third party questions. We also reduce that chances that some form of code might be imposed on us, with little or no consultation.

    Because it has been developed by a group of the larger international NGOs, it contains elements not present in most other codes. These include specific reference to the universal principles which we uphold and advance, accountability for our advocacy work, the sources of our legitimacy, our commitment to inter-generational equity and the rights of voiceless ecosystems, and our independence. Importantly, it highlights our shared commitment to sustainable development.

    It also provides specific commitments about our commitment to transparency, and high standards of governance and operations, and outlines our values and ethics in this regard. In short, rather than adopting an %u2018off-the-shelf%u2019 charter, we have developed one for our special needs.

    In doing this, we have not only researched other approached but also sought independent expert advice. The Hauser Center for Non-profit Organizations at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and Paul Hohnen, a consultant specialist on accountability and reporting issues, have been closely involved.

    Importantly, this charter does not prevent a signatory INGO from using other codes or standards that may be compatible with it, but which offer other advantages. It is also intended that the charter be a living instrument, which will be revised and improved with experience.

  4. Who do we foresee participating in this charter? Just international secretariats? All national chapters of an organisation?

    The charter is a voluntary instrument and is open to adoption by any INGO wishing to use it, including national members, branches or affiliates (depending on the NGO%u2019s international structure). All INGOs are invited to sign it once it is open for signature, from 20 January 2006.

    It will be up to each organisation to decide how to apply it through their organisation. For it to have most benefit, ideally it should be applied consistently across each signatory organisation. However the charter specifically recognises that all organisations have operations at different stages of development, with different cultures and levels of experience. For this reason, it specifically enables signatories to apply it %u2018progressively%u2019 within their organisation.

    The key point is, however, that the whole organisation shares the core principles, even though the way of expressing or implementing may differ in some respects.

  5. Why should my organisation participate--what benefits will participation bring?

    The INGO charter should have multiple benefits for signatories. Some will be external, while others internal.

    The launch of the charter will almost certainly attract media and other attention. The main message the charter will convey is that NGOs are, and commit to remain, transparent and accountable, and merit the respect and support they have. But it will also communicate their recognition of the need to maintain and, where necessary, improve their performance, and their commitment to be responsive to their stakeholders. In this respect, the more NGOs that sign up to the charter the better.

    By codifying, for example, the freedoms of speech and assembly, INGOs will be helping profile and reinforce these important principles. Looking at individual INGOs, it is sometime hard for the public to see the diverse range of arenas where INGOs are working and contributing. The charter will act as a reminder of who we are, what we work on, and what %u2018public goods%u2019 (such as development, human rights, sustainable development, transparency) we are helping to protect and advance.

    But there are also internal benefits. The charter should help both existing and new staff understand the over-arching principles of their organisation, and help in the formulation and administration of policies on such diverse areas as: staff, campaigns and advocacy, financial management, fund-raising, relations with partner organisations, communication, and relations with supporters, the public and media.

    Where the relevant policies do not already exist, the charter provides a ready basis for developing what may be necessary.

    By having a common set of principles and commitments, signatory organisations can work towards greater consistency within their respective organisations, and have higher confidence in their dealings with potential partner organisations. On the communications front, too, consistency has its advantages. The charter%u2019s clear identification of who our stakeholders are, and on what we will report, should be generally helpful in helping collect, assess and report information.

    Management and staff should all have an interest in greater clarity about such things as our objectives, achievements, and financial performance. Indeed, one of the potential uses of such a charter is to help improve performance by bringing greater internal clarity about our principles and performance. As other organisations have experienced, the process of collecting information about key indicators of performance can encourage all staff to think about ways of helping improve effectiveness.

  6. What benefits will my participation have for others?

    Solidarity is strength. By demonstrating their collective support for the principles of the charter, INGO signatories will be sending a powerful signal. They will be showing their individual and collective resolve to advance and defend %u2018public goods%u2019 such as human rights, freedom of speech, environmental protection, transparency and accountability (i.e. their collective campaign objectives).

    • Staff will have a clear framework to guide their activities and interactions. This should be valuable both to ensure that all areas of the organisation %u2018walk the talk%u2019, and in responding to questions about their organisation%u2019s objectives, principles, legitimacy, credibility, etc.
    • Management will also be able to use the framework to help ensure consistent high standards at all levels of the organisation, and encourage a management culture based on respect for organisational values, transparency and accountability.
    • Supporters and donors will value signatories%u2019 explicit commitments to transparency and accountability, and feel reassured of the integrity and professionalism of their preferred INGOs. This should help maintain the existing support base and potentially broaden the support base.
    • Governments, regulators and the judiciary will appreciate the commitment to advancing universal principles and compliance with national laws and best practices regarding governance. Signatories will be in strong position to respond to suggestions that they are not %u2018accountable%u2019 or %u2018professional%u2019.

  7. Who will host the Charter?

    It is entirely up to individual organisations how they use and implement the Charter. Nonetheless, as shared initiative, it will be important to maintain an overview of who is using it, to discuss experiences and to build up expertise. There is also the need for a process to enable improvements and additions over time.

    For this reason it is proposed to create a 'host%u2019 secretariat for the charter. The secretariat will be virtual and its role will primarily consist of:

    • maintaining a list of all signatories
    • explaining its purpose to potential signatories
    • hosting occasional meetings of current and potential signatories to discuss experiences
    • proposing possible improvements or implementation processes.

    CIVICUS, which represents thousands of NGOs and social movements around the world, has agreed to host the website that will be the key point of interacton. From this is will be possible to see which INGOs are signatories and to track their progress on reporting against the Charter. It is proposed that signatories provide a link on their websites to the Charter site.

  8. Will the charter be reviewed? By whom and when?

    The Charter recognises that it will not meet all the needs of all organisations, all the time. Its contents represent only the core principles and commitments which its signatories share. Inevitably, there will be other policies and practices that some organisations will embrace, and which could also be integrated into the Charter at some future time.

    For this reason, there will be an annual review of signatories and potential signatories. This meeting will provide an opportunity to:

    • share signatories%u2019 experiences with implementation
    • review feedback from staff, supporters, and other stakeholders
    • discuss areas for possible improvement, and, if agreed,
    • amend the charter.

    There are various ways of amending or adding to the charter. These include changing the text of the charter itself (e.g. to add new principles or commitments), or to add annexes (e.g. to address the special needs of, for example, human rights or development INGOs). The process for doing this still needs to be discussed.

  9. What kind of reporting will be involved?

    The charter requires that signatories issue a public report each year on their main goals, and activities, and reflect evolving public expectations about organisational transparency and accountability. All signatory INGOs already issue an annual or similar report, however the charter will help ensure that reports are more consistent, both within and across organisations.

    The main features of reports will be familiar to most people. They include a description of the organisation%u2019s: mission and values; objectives and outcomes (i.e. achievements); governance structure and processes; financial performance; main sources of funding; and contact details. A couple of elements, however, are new. These include the inclusion of information on the organisation%u2019s environmental impact, and on compliance with the charter. The framework for reporting on these aspects is being developed and will be outlined in the future.

  10. When and how will this charter be launched?

    It is proposed that the charter will be launched publicly at the INGO meeting to be held on 4-6 June 2006. Organisations however are invited to sign on to the charter from now on.

    The purpose of separating signature and the external launch is both to give INGOs the chance to start working with the charter, and to give other INGOs more time to consider also signing on. The plan for June is to have a public event where the charter will be presented, and where INGOs can speak with some experience about why they adopted it, and how they are going about implementing it.

© INGO Accountability Charter