Bamidele, Oluwaseun

English

North Georgia College & State University: Digital Commons

International Social Science Review
Volume 92 | Issue 1 Article 15
Book Review: NGOs, Crisis Management and
Conflict Resolution: Measuring the Impact of
NGOs on Intergovernmental Organisations by
Daniela Irrera
Oluwaseun Bamidele
Ekiti State University
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Recommended Citation
Bamidele, Oluwaseun () "Book Review: NGOs, Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution: Measuring the Impact of NGOs on
Intergovernmental Organisations by Daniela Irrera," International Social Science Review: Vol. 92: Iss. 1, Article 15.
Available at: http://digitalcommons.northgeorgia.edu/issr/vol92/iss1/15
Irrera, Daniela. NGOs, Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution: Measuring the 
Impact of NGOs on Intergovernmental Organisations. Northampton: Edward Elgar, 
2013. xix + 168 pages. Hardcover, $109.00. 
 
Daniela Irrera, a Professor of political science and international relations, critically 
examines the relationship between non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and 
intergovernmental organisations (IGOs).  Her book strategically analyses, in depth, the 
organisational structure, aims and mandates of NGOs and the participation of NGOs with 
respect to intergovernmental decision-making processes.   
Chapter One, consistent with the existing literature, examines international civil 
society as a set of world-system actors.  In the United Nations (UN), the institutionalisation 
of dialogue between IGOs and NGOs and other civil-society organisations has been achieved 
by delegating to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) the task of 
attributing to NGOs what is termed ‘consultative status.’  The ECOSOC model has been 
claimed to rule the relationships between civil-society organisations and regional and local 
IGOs.  However, in organisations like the European Union (EU), other aspects come into 
play.  The participation of civil-society associations in the policy-making process of the EU is 
crucial to strengthening the legitimacy of the integration process.  
Chapter Two focuses on the formal and informal procedures that shape interactions 
between NGOs and the UN and EU.  The support of expertise as well as in-field knowledge 
and action that NGOs are able to offer to world and regional organisations allows IGOs to 
meet the most recent challenges they are facing.  The challenging nature of social and 
political conflicts around the world has brought about a parallel transformation of the tools 
major states employ for conflict management and, consequently, humanitarian intervention, 
and this has opened political space for NGO influence.  The increased number of violent 
conflicts since the 1970s, the worsening of economic and social conflicts in many transitional 
countries (especially during the 1980s), and the devolution of violence control and 
management to the UN and other regional organisations at the end of the Cold War, are the 
main political factors explaining the rising number of humanitarian interventions. 
Chapter Three focuses on the ability of NGOs active in the field of conflict 
management and peace-building activities to face and adapt to the changes affecting global 
security.  Although peacekeeping operations are not included in the UN Charter, missions for 
controlling truces and ceasefires, and for interrupting aggression and violence among states, 
have been promoted by the Security Council under the provisions of Chapter VII of the 
Charter (as confirmed by several examples in Africa and Asia).  Frequent employment of 
peacekeeping missions contributed to making these missions the main tool of management of 
peace and international security, as well as to changing significantly the purposes and 
methods of the missions and making them more effective.  In other words, a specific 
approach to conflict management and humanitarian intervention has been developed by the 
main international organisation responsible for global security, and this approach has created 
room for the action of NGOs in crisis and conflict management. 
1
Bamidele: NGOs, Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution
Published by Nighthawks Open Institutional Repository,
Chapter Four stresses the potential for coordination as well as the principal 
differences and frictions.  Within the EU system, cooperation with neighbouring countries 
and the developing world can be considered an anticipation of a more structured approach to 
peace and security management.  Through participation in official programs, European NGOs 
have promoted many initiatives on humanitarian aid, especially in Africa.  This has provided 
NGOs with an important opportunity for engagement in conflict prevention and management, 
and for expanding NGOs’ active role in EU peace missions’ deployment.  Closely related, 
Chapter Five deals with the NGOs’ participation in EU operations and humanitarian 
emergencies.  Special attention is given to the relation between NGOs and EU institutions 
responsible for security and foreign policy, and for humanitarian interventions.  
Finally, the last chapter of the book is underpinned by empirical data from a survey of 
representatives from twenty-eight humanitarian NGOs and networks of NGOs that are active 
in the fields of humanitarian assistance and peace-building, as well as conflict transformation 
and mediation.  It demonstrates that the role of non-state actors in the deployment of 
humanitarian interventions is destined to grow in the near future and it promotes our 
understanding of such a development.  
It is difficult to find an identifiable weakness in this book.  Academics in a wide range 
of fields including development, international studies and public policy—especially those in 
African states—will find this book to be an enlightening read.  It will also prove to be of 
great relevance to practitioners and policymakers in NGOs, IGOs, research centres and 
regional agencies. 
Oluwaseun Bamidele, M.Sc.  
Institute of Peace, Security and Governance 
Ekiti State University 
Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria 
 
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International Social Science Review, Vol. 92, Iss. 1 [], Art. 15
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Book Review: NGOs, Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution: Measuring the Impact of NGOs on Intergovernmental Organisations by Daniela Irrera

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Book Review: NGOs, Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution: Measuring the Impact of NGOs on Intergovernmental Organisations by Daniela Irrera

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