Der Sammelband enthält neben Beiträgen über theoretische Aspekte der Rolle von NGOs Erfahrungsberichte und Analysen aus den skandinavischen Ländern und aus den Staaten Mittel- und Osteuropas, die einen Überblick über potentielle Tätigkeitsfelder und Organisationsfragen sowie die aktuellen Problemlagen geben. Aus dem Inhalt: I. Theoretical Approach: Erik Hundewadt: The Role of Voluntary Associations (NGOs) in a Democratic Society (7-12); Klaus Hüfner: The role of NGOs vis-à-vis International Organizations and National Governments (13-24); Rainer Weinert: The New Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) in Central and Eastern Europe after the Collapse of Communist Regimes (25-39). II. NGOs and International Relations: Per Lindström: The Role of NGOs as seen by the United Nations and its Member States (43-48); Marek Hagmajer: The Activities of WFUNA and its Member Associations in the UN System and at the National Level (49-55); Vladimie Fedorov: Enhanced Roles in European Development for NGOs in the Wake of the East-West Confrontation (57-62). III. Area Reports. IV. Conclusions: Jürgen Schramm: The Role of NGOs in Pluralistic-Democratic Societies: Conclusions and Theoretical Outlook (139-152).