Quango

The term intermediary organization (English: Quango or qango, French: autorité administrative indépendante AAI) describes an association which is to operate independently under a government contract, and partially or fully funded by government agents or otherwise by the government, such as the occupation of offices by background - or straw men, is indirectly controlled. From the legal nature of an intermediary organization is classified as a non-governmental entity that is not incorporated in the State Administration. An intermediary organization is pursuing a government contract.

Task

An intermediary organization is often used for foreign cultural policy and European policy. It follows a government contract. The transition to foreign propaganda is flowing. Purpose of averaging these tasks can be a participation of civil society or business or even the camouflage of a cultural-political infiltration of foreign countries while simultaneously providing political independence to the outside. Intermediaries are not a tool of public diplomacy. It is an association that can not be clearly assigned to the state - public nor the private sector or civil society. This is a response to the smooth transition in policy implementation between public and private organization.

Conceptual history

In Germany ever since the founding of the Federal Republic, the concept of intermediary organization is known. Thus, the European Movement Germany is institutionally supported by the federal government since 1949.

The English term Quango has its origin mainly in the United Kingdom and Ireland and stands for ' quasi- autonomous non- governmental organization '. The official name is the United Kingdom non- departmental public body or NDPB. The term ' quasi- autonomous non- governmental organization ' was invented by Alan Pifer of the Carnegie Foundation in an essay on independence and accountability of organizations in the private sector that are funded by public money. Anthony Barker, a British participants at a follow-up conference on the subject, shortened the term with ' quango ' from. In Germany the term intermediary is used, usually the intermediary organizations of the Foreign Office are meant.

The term describes an alleged non-governmental organization (NGO), carries out the orders of government and is mostly financed by the government or supported in any other way. In contrast, ordinary finance NGOs their work or other regular funding from donations from the public or other organizations that support their concerns. Since the 1980s, numerous intermediary organizations have emerged.

A special feature in the original definition was that the intermediary organization not formally part of the government structures, so it should not be incorporated in state institutions.

In the UK he has been expanded and applied to organizations that provided services in the field of health and education. This spawned the related acronym qualgo, a ' quasi- autonomous local government organization '.

Intermediary organizations in the EU

Germany

Intermediary organization emerged in the nascent popular participation in political decisions by the end of the cabinet policy. Very effective for example, were delivered from the pots of the German Government German Navy League or Pan-German Verband.In the 1930s were intermediaries in the context of foreign cultural policy, such as founded the German - English society or the German - French company.

In Germany the term intermediary organization is in use for many years. Newspapers use the term, and thus relate to the intermediary organizations of the Foreign Office. The intermediary organizations of the Foreign Office mediate between reigning policy and international cultural affairs and European affairs civil society. The objectives of the policy adopted and implemented through the intermediary organizations. The largest non-governmental intermediary organization is the Goethe -Institut. It is mandated by the federal government to pursue foreign cultural policy tasks. It accomplishes these objectives, however, independently and autonomously and is not a department of the Foreign Office or institutionally subordinate to this. However, there is a " target agreement " in the form of a contract. Also, the German Academic Exchange Service ( DAAD), the largest funding organization for international cooperation in higher education, and the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations are partner organizations in cultural and educational policy but institutionally independent. In questions of European politics, the European Movement Germany is mediating organization. The legal form of all the named organizations is the registered association. Another possible legal form is that of the non-profit foundation, such as the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, which was established by the Federal Republic of Germany in order to promote international research cooperation.

United Kingdom

In 2006 there were in the United Kingdom in 1162 quangos that cost the taxpayers 64 billion British pounds. Since the change of government in 2010 and the coalition of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats more than 80 of these government-sponsored organizations were abolished. Background was to reduce the general government deficit. Nevertheless, there are still more than 1000 intermediary organizations ( quangos ).

Ireland

In Ireland in 2006 there were more than 800 intermediary organizations, 482 national 350 at the local level, with a total of 5,784 employees and a total budget of 13 billion euros.