Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction / Jennifer M. Brinkerhoff, Stephen C. Smith, and Hildy Teegen -- The MDGs and NGO potential roles -- Can the MDGs foster a new partnership for pro-poor policies? / Jan Vandemoortele -- Some practical limits of the NGO role: a critical perspective / Michael Edwards -- Beyond the "non": the strategic space for NGOs in development / Jennifer M. Brinkerhoff, Stephen C. Smith, and Hildy Teegen -- The context for achieving the MDGs -- The enabling environment for achieving the Millennium Development Goals: government actions to support NGOs / Derick W. Brinkerhoff -- The politics of global partnership / Martha Finnemore -- The need for political will: a short note on the millennium campaign / Carol Welch -- Application of the theoretical framework -- Organizational comparative advantages of NGOs in eradicating extreme poverty and hunger: strategy for escape from poverty traps / Stephen C. Smith -- The role of NGOs in health, education, environment, and gender: application of the theoretical framework / Jennifer M. Brinkerhoff, Stephen C. Smith, and Hildy Teegen -- Conclusions and policy implications / Jennifer M. Brinkerhoff, Stephen C. Smith, and Hildy Teegen -- Afterword. The power of social entrepreneurship / William Drayton.