Over the last decade, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of non-governmental and civil society organizations working around the world. As this number has increased so have the responsibilities that these organizations have taken on - from influencing public policy and advocating the growth of democratic societies to providing primary social services previously under the domain of the State. Throughout this period of profound change within the third sector, the Salzburg Seminar has convened more than ten sessions relating to civil society on topics ranging from the role and responsibility of non-governmental organizations in the democratization process, the management and leadership of civil society, international partnerships, women’s involvement and participation in the third sector, the differing roles and the intersection of the independent, public and private sectors, and the long-term sustainability of the third sector in Central and Eastern Europe.

The purpose of this 1999 NGO session, as the title implies, is twofold: first, to provide a retrospective account of the progress that civil society has made and the challenges it has encountered over the past decade, and second, to give leaders from all sectors an opportunity to look toward the future and think about ways of shaping the continuing evolution and the widening relevance of the independent sector into the next century. Specific issues to be discussed include changes resulting from increased globalization, the role of technology, and the growing inter-dependence and changing relationships between the public, private, and non-governmental sectors. This session will bring together leaders from the public, private and third sectors as well as faculty members and Fellows from previous Salzburg Seminar sessions to build on the networks initiated in Salzburg.