In an attempt to clarify the diversity that unites us, I have used a "back-to-basics" approach. Am sure you all know the difference so I beg your indulgence as you read through the list of stakeholders (or as some say, "steak-holders") :-) ..the definitions as you will observe, have a tendency of being misleading. 1. MULTISTAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT Multistakeholder engagement, as the terms suggests, is the engagement of multiple stakeholders. That is, people with a stake in a community or issue working together in a process that embraces diversity and establishes a cooperative and respectful nexus for exchange to identify and work toward common goals. 2. WHAT IS PRIVATE SECTOR? * covers private corporations (including those in foreign control), households, and NPISHs (Non-Profit Institutions Serving Households). <http://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=X&start=0&oi=define&q=http://www.unece.o rg/stats/gender/web/glossary/p.htm> www.unece.org/stats/gender/web/glossary/p.htm * that portion of the economy composed of businesses and households, and excluding government. <http://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=X&start=1&oi=define&q=http://www.ots.tre as.gov/glossary/gloss-p.html> www.ots.treas.gov/glossary/gloss-p.html * The part of a nation's economy which is not controlled by the government. <http://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=X&start=2&oi=define&q=http://www.preferr edgroup.com/Glossary/p4.aspx> www.preferredgroup.com/Glossary/p4.aspx * The private sector of a nation's economy consists of those entities which are not controlled by the state - i.e., a variety of entities such as private firms and companies, corporations, private banks, non-governmental organizations, etc. <http://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=X&start=4&oi=define&q=http://en.wikipedi a.org/wiki/Private_sector> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_sector 3. WHAT IS PUBLIC SECTOR? * comprises the sub-sectors of general government (mainly central, state and local government units together with social security funds imposed and controlled by those units) as well as public corporations, ie corporations that are subject to control by government units (usually defined by the government owning the majority of shares). <http://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=X&start=0&oi=define&q=http://www.unece.o rg/stats/gender/web/glossary/p.htm> www.unece.org/stats/gender/web/glossary/p.htm * In contrast to the private sector, that part of a nation's or State's economic activity owned and controlled by the government, and includes the public service as well as government instrumentalities and enterprises. <http://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=X&start=1&oi=define&q=http://www.parliam ent.qld.gov.au/Glossary.htm> www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Glossary.htm * The public sector is that part of economic and administrative life that deals with the delivery of goods and services by and for the government, whether national, regional or local/municipal. <http://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=X&start=6&oi=define&q=http://en.wikipedi a.org/wiki/Public_sector> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_sector 4. WHAT IS CIVIL SOCIETY? * 'A civil society is a public space between the state, the market and the ordinary household, in which people can debate and tackle action'. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/highlights/010705_civil.shtml * Civil society refers to the arena of uncoerced collective action around shared interests, purposes and values. In theory, its institutional forms are distinct from those of the state, family and market, though in practice, the boundaries between state, civil society, family and market are often complex, blurred and negotiated. Civil society commonly embraces a diversity of spaces, actors and institutional forms, varying in their degree of formality, autonomy and power. Civil societies are often populated by organisations such as registered charities, development non-governmental organisations, community groups, women's organisations, faith-based organisations, professional associations, trades unions, self-help groups, social movements, business associations, coalitions and advocacy group. (LSE Centre for Civil Society - http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/CCS/what_is_civil_society.htm ) * Definition from DfID: http://www.dfid.gov.uk/aboutdfid/intheuk/workwithcs/cs-how-to-work-what. asp