Abstract

A deep cleavage exists between international legal order and civil society. Fundamental powers are in the hands of Governments in public international law and individuals have not legal personality. Nevertheless a significant transformation of international law has happened recently with the arrival of NGOs on the world stage. Today, NGOs often operate successfully in international relation, thus affecting the position of States. In some cases they could be configured as a kind of international foundation endowed with a valid, autonomous international subjectivity, to be measured using the principle of effectiveness.