This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book looks at successful models of multi-stakeholder partnership for helping to deliver global agreements. It reviews that a relevant stakeholder is any stakeholder that is impacted by a decision or can impact on a decision. The book explains the scene as far as the world we are engaging in and defines key terms such as stakeholders, engagement, dialogue, partnerships, multi-stakeholder partnerships, civil society, public private partnerships, etc. The concept of stakeholder democracy can build strong coalitions that can shape international, national and local policies and practices. The book identifies key issues such as legitimacy, transparency and power, discussing the linkages between multilevel, multisector and multi-stakeholder processes and approaches. It also reviews three major versions of the civil society discourse: associational life, the good society and public sphere.