Critical thinking is the discipline of assessing information on its merits rather than accepting it because it sounds persuasive, originates from a familiar source, or appears professionally presented.

It requires actively questioning, evaluating, and applying what is read, heard, or seen, including what one already presumes to know. Information may be incomplete, outdated, biased, or inaccurate.

Errors and misinformation can arise unintentionally, but individuals and organisations may also deliberately circulate false claims, selective facts, or persuasive messaging to influence decisions.

Consider a WhatsApp message claiming that a particular food cures a disease. Before forwarding it, a critical thinker would ask: Who produced this information? What evidence supports it? Is the source qualified and current? Has anything material been omitted?

Critical thinking moves individuals from passive receipt of information to informed judgment.

Applying the Discipline in Practice

The core practice is to pause, question, verify, and compare before concluding or acting. Decision-makers should test each item of information against the following criteria:

• Relevance: Does it answer the question actually being asked?
• Credibility: Is the source reputable and qualified?
• Currency: Is the evidence up to date?
• Objectivity: Are facts clearly distinguished from opinion?
• Intent: Is the message designed to inform, persuade, advertise, or manipulate?
• Completeness: Does it present the full picture, or only one side?

These questions carry particular weight online, where nearly anyone can produce content that appears authoritative.

For matters of consequence, avoid reliance on a single source. Compare several credible, independent sources, and note where the evidence converges and where it diverges.

The Objective

The purpose of critical thinking is not blanket scepticism. It is to establish sound reasons for what one chooses to believe, share, or act upon.

Break Into the NGO Sector — For Free

Landing a role at an NGO or UN agency often comes down to having relevant training on your CV. The good news is that you don't need a paid certificate programme to get started. Leading global organisations offer free, self-paced courses that can strengthen your profile and demonstrate your interest in humanitarian and development work.

Here are some free resources to explore:

1. World Health Organization (WHO) — OpenWHO

OpenWHO is WHO's official learning platform, built to get critical health knowledge into the hands of frontline responders during outbreaks and emergencies. Courses cover epidemiology, infectious disease control, health emergency response, and public health fundamentals. A strong option for those interested in public health, emergency response, or medical NGOs.

Visit OpenWHO

2. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

UNDP's learning platform focuses on sustainable development and nature-based solutions, including how ecosystems, biodiversity, and climate resilience connect to poverty reduction and long-term development goals. It is useful for those interested in environmental or development-focused NGO work.

Visit the UNDP Learning for Nature Platform

3. UN Climate Change (UN CC:Learn)

A joint initiative of more than 30 UN agencies, UN CC:Learn offers structured courses on climate change science, policy, adaptation, and the green economy. It can be useful for professionals interested in climate-related roles at NGOs, government agencies, and international organisations.

Visit UN CC:Learn

4. UNITAR

The UN Institute for Training and Research runs a broad selection of free courses covering leadership, governance, disaster risk reduction, peacekeeping, and diplomacy. Many courses include certificates of completion.

Explore UNITAR Free and Open Courses

5. UNSSC – United Nations System Staff College

UNSSC provides learning opportunities covering areas such as leadership development, results-based management, and organisational effectiveness. These resources can help learners understand key concepts used within the UN system.

Explore UNSSC Courses

6. World Food Programme (WFP)

WFP's nutrition learning resources cover food security, nutrition programming, and emergency food response. These areas are relevant to careers in humanitarian logistics, nutrition, and food security programming.

Explore WFP Nutrition Learning Resources

7. The World Bank Group

The World Bank's learning platform covers topics related to economic development, financial inclusion, and policy. These areas can be useful for individuals targeting roles in economic development, policy research, or financial inclusion programmes.

Explore World Bank Learning Resources

8. DisasterReady.org

DisasterReady provides humanitarian training resources covering areas such as disaster management, safeguarding, security, and programme management. The platform is designed specifically for humanitarian workers and learners.

Visit DisasterReady

9. Kaya by Humanitarian Leadership Academy

Kaya offers practical, field-oriented courses in areas including WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), protection, and other humanitarian competencies.

Visit Kaya

10. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) — Tembo

Tembo is MSF's learning platform, providing training and learning resources related to medical and humanitarian work in crisis settings. It is particularly relevant to those interested in medical humanitarian work.

Visit MSF Tembo

11. Save the Children Learning Hub

This learning resource focuses on child protection and education in emergencies, offering specialised knowledge relevant to people interested in children's rights and education-focused NGO work.

Access the Save the Children Learning Resource

Build Your NGO Career

Free online training can be a practical way to develop relevant knowledge and strengthen your CV while preparing for opportunities in the NGO, humanitarian, development and international organisation sectors.

Note: Course availability, content, certificates and access requirements may vary by platform and course.