Non-Governmental Organisations
Course type
Study programme and level
Language
slovenščina
Lectures | Seminar | Tutorial | Other forms of study | Individual Work | ECTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 | 20 | 110 | 6 |
Prerequisites
Enrolment in current year of study
Content:
The role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), especially in the field of protection of human rights, is increasingly present and important. NGOs can be distinguished from state authorities mainly by the level of their individual initiative and spontaneity. Their activities are not limited to the national level or to the specifics of local issues, but are aimed at the entire international community. In doing so, they liaise with both governmental and international organisations, both universal and regional, including the Council of Europe and the European Union. They have to adapt to their mission, organise, reorganise, and adapt their programs to their purpose.
The functions of NGOs vary according to the purpose with which they were established, their financial resources, the local situation in which they operate, and the nature of their membership. The practice of reporting has proven to be particularly effective in countries with closed systems. Reports of non-governmental organisations serve as information for the media. At the same time they are a means of lobbying and other forms of influencing state authorities and other organisations (including international) .
Content emphasis in the pedagogical implementation of the program:
1 The concept of non-governmental organisation
1.1 National definitions
1.2 International definitions
2 The position of non-governmental organisations under the Slovenian regulation
2.1 The Constitution
2.1.1 The right of assembly and association
2.1.2 Other constitutional provisions that indirectly concern the position of non-governmental organisations
2.2 International legal documents which bind Slovenia
2.3 Legislative regulation
2.3.1 Associations
2.3.2 Institutions
3 International forms of operation of non-governmental organisations
3.1 Activities of non-governmental organisations within the European Union 3.1.1 Reports of European Union on human rights
3.1.2 Building partnerships between the European Union and non-governmental organisations
3.1.3 European Governance: A White Paper
3.1.4 Activities of non-governmental organisations within the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
3.1.5 Cooperation with the International Criminal Court in The Hague
3.2 Activities of non-governmental organisations within the United Nations
4 Non-governmental organisation as a form of informal protection of human rights
4.1 Scope
4.2 Standard-setting
4.3 Information processing and transmission
4.3.1 Monitoring
4.3.1.2 Purpose of monitoring
4.3.1.2.1 Lobbying
4.3.1.2.2 Provision of assistance
5 Major international NGOs
5.1 Crisis Group
5.2 The International League for Human Rights
5.3 International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights
5.4 European Stability Initiative
5.5 The International Commission of Jurists
5.6 Association for the Prevention of Torture
5.7 Amnesty International
5.8 Human Rights Watch
6 Civil society and NGOs
6.1 Civil society
6.2 Development of civil society in Slovenia
6.3 NGOs as part of civil society
Objectives and competencies:
Students develop general competencies: knowledge of NGOs on a national and international level.
Intended learning outcomes:
Knowledge and comprehension:
– Compulsory attendance at lectures and tutorials.
– Presentation of cases, provided by the lecturer, that affect the final grade of the exam.
– Optional pre-exam colloquium, either in form of an essay or a take home, intended for knowledge self-assessment.
Written exam consisting of theoretical and problem work.
Teaching methods
Lectures are based on the presentation of material, employing modern computer-aided visual methods.
Assessment:
Written exam: 70% of the final grade
Papers: 30% of the final grade