The term, “international non-governmental organization” or INGO ,came into currency in 1945 because of the need for the UN to differentiate in it’s charter between participation rights for intergovernmental specialized agencies and those for international private organizations. At the UN, virtually all types of private bodies can be recognized as NGOs.
 They only have to be independent from government control, not seeking to challenge government either as a political party or by a narrow focus on human rights, non-profit-making and non-criminal.
Finally the structures of INGOs vary considerably.
INGOs are components of social movements. Similarly, civil society is the broader concept to cover all social activity by individuals, groups and movement. It remains a matter of contention whether civil society also covers all economic activity.
Usually, society is seen as being composed of three sectors: government, the private sector and civil society, excluding businesses.
Generally, there is not accepted definition of an INGO, and the term carries different connotations in different circumstances. Clearly an INGO must be independent from the direct control of any government.