WANGO is an international membership organization uniting non-governmental organizations (NGOs) worldwide in the cause of advancing peace and well-being and providing the mechanism and support needed for NGOs to connect, partner, share, inspire, and multiply their contributions to solve humanity's basic problems.

The WANGO Awards program honors non-governmental organizations from throughout the world that demonstrate extraordinary effort, innovation, leadership, and excellence in providing service to humanity. WANGO not only recognizes prominent international NGOs, but also the smaller, lesser-known NGOs in the least developed countries, whose exemplary service and success may have gone unnoticed and unappreciated on the international stage.

In addition to recognition of NGOs, WANGO also honors outstanding individuals whose work involves them with the non-governmental community. Wangari Maathai was given its Environment Award in 2003. The Universal Peace Award is WANGO's highest award to individuals, and is presented annually to an individual who contributes substantially to world peace and global well-being.