Finland, Helsinki, November 9, 2012
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Minister for International Development on World NGO day
I believe it would be an excellent way to recognize the valuable work all the NGOs are doing around the world.
NGOs contribute to the building of societies by providing people with means of expression and influence. NGOs promote pluralism, diversity, and tolerance in society while protecting and strengthening cultural, ethic, religious and other identities. NGOs motivate citizens to act, rather than depend on state power and beneficence.
Deservedly, NGOs are now widely recognized as development actors in their own right. They have increased in number and stand out thanks to their capacity to reach out to, empower, represent and defend vulnerable and socially excluded groups, and trigger social innovation. Against this background, governments in several countries have strengthened their engagement with NGOs.