NGO development, particularly in the southern hemisphere is undergoing great changes, significantly in their number, their relationships to governments and other NGOs and in their role within civil society and the development community. Under the influence of western and northern governments , governments in developing countries are being encouraged to create enabling environments for the development of the non governmental sectors within their countries, viewed as an important pre-requisite for democratic and civil society development. Increasing development co-operation between southern and northern NGOs is increasing this movement towards more universal terms of civil society and democratic values in development.