This paper is the edited text of an address delivered at the Eleventh Director's Workshop on Effective Leadership with reference to Child Care Organisations of the SOS Children's Villages of India held in Bangalore, March 6 - 8, 1994. I wonder whether I am the right person to be called upon to address a group of directors with a vast experience and understanding of the issues involved in running a great non-governmental organisation which the SOS Children's Villages undoubtedly is. Having accepted this invitation, albeit with some trepidation, I thought it might be useful to share my thoughts on the relevance of non-government organisations in today's troubled world - and how with effective leadership, their role and potential can be better realised.