INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION: UNDERSTANDING THEIR NATURE AND FUNCTIONS IN INTERNATIONAL LAW

Abstract

In the last decades international institutions have played very influential role in promoting peace and development globally. Their unique role has also featured continued interactions with member states and Non-Governmental Organizations that it is becoming increasingly difficult to understand their personality and their difference from international non-governmental organisations. The general aim of this paper is to examine the concept of international institutions, their nature and role in international relations and to draw a distinction between them and non-governmental organisations. The paper is divided into five sections. Section one presents the meaning of international institution, answer the questions of the nature of international institution through classification based on number of members, their common history, their geography and locations and interests. The paper extensively discussed the formation of the international institutions using the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, European Union, Economic community of West African States and finally the African Union as examples. This paper also examined the differences in their role and relationship with member states.