Trends & Recent Developments in Regulating Non-Governmental Organizations

Held Oct 28 at ABA Int’l Law Section Meeting:

Recently, several states have taken dramatic legislative action to regulate the nature and scope of nongovernmental organization (NGO) activities. In some cases, these regulations have sought to restrict issues NGOs may address, or constrain their access to third-party funding. Governments have justified these measures as necessary in the face of alleged NGO corruption and interference in the political process. However, other observers view these laws as thinly veiled attempts to limit NGO influence across a wide range of matters ranging from human rights to greater government transparency. A panel of experts will examine the content and impact of legislative initiatives in Africa, China, and Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as efforts within the NGO community to define and implement internal accountability norms for the industry. Building on these presentations, a brief workshop session with audience members will help identify potential responses to some of the challenges raised.

Sponsoring Committees:
NGO and Not-for-Profit (NGO-NPO) Organizations Committee; Latin America and Caribbean Committee; International Human Rights Committee; Goal VIII Rule of Law Committee

Program Chairs:
Robert C. Blitt, Chair, University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee
David S. Fushtey, The Governance Counsel, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Moderator:
Leon Irish, President, International Center for Civil Society Law, Crownsville, Maryland

Speakers:
Robert C. Blitt, University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee
Adriana Ruiz-Restrepo, RRA Attorneys, Bogotá, Colombia
Karla Simon, Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, Washington DC
Eduardo Szazi, Szazi Bechara Advogados, São Paulo, Brazil

kws