ABSTRACT
In pursuit of its goals, the United Nations has embarked on a course of action that
involves the private sector and civil society organizations. This development is due
to an increase in demands made on the United Nations (UN) under the impact of
the globalization of markets and communications. The most fundamental change
in thinking that is taking place today among social and political scientists is that
no single actor, be it a national government, an international organization, a non-
governmental organization or a multinational company, can manage complex issues
or provide solutions to transnational problems on its own.2 Be it the pollution of a
river or the setting of safety standards for disease control at international airports,
both national and global problems require solutions that are supported by every actor
that has influence over the issue or that is affected by it.3 The actors may be political
institutions, businesses or civil society associations (CSOs) of all sizes and types.
