This publication describes and analyzes the role of non-governmental development organizations (NGDOs) of the Southern hemisphere. It is primarily intended as a text for interested outsiders - such as officials of UN organizations, politicians, civil servants and scientists - but is should also contribute to self-knowledge and self-reflection among members of the NGO community.;After a brief introduction, the reader is introduced to a substantial number of non-governmental development organizations from three continents by means of organizational portraits, written by the NGDOs themselves. Each contribution is prefaced by a brief description of the organization, and all address the following basic subjects: development - for whom, by whom?; the NGDO's objectives and strategies; organizational structure; North-South cooperation; the NGDO's achievements; and staff motivation.