The Role of NGOs in Sustainable Development

When introducing new policies, agreeing, and implementing them, it is important to take into account public opinion. This is to prevent social conflicts and create a better relationship between citizens and their governments. When public opinion is disregarded, there is a risk of "symbolic legislation," as Allenby puts it, when public opinion intends to demonstrate concern, but it is not seriously implemented. Partially because of this lack of attention placed on matters that people or organizations care about by the government, there has been a rapid rise in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in order to more efficiently address sustainability issues and to act on more immediate opinions of people and organizations. Now, the UN's acknowledgement of NGOs and the emergence of the NGO Major Group shows the organization and heightened participation of NGOs across the world and the importance placed on their work.