multistakeholder

Multistakeholder refers to governance and decision-making processes that deliberately include representatives from more than a single group of stakeholders, typically governments, the private sector, civil society, the technical and academic communities, and sometimes end users or the general public. The model seeks to incorporate diverse expertise, values, and interests to address public policy problems and global public goods.

In practice, multistakeholder arrangements can take formal legal structures or informal forums. They may operate through open consultations, working groups, public-private partnerships, multistakeholder councils, or international forums. Decision-making often emphasizes consensus-building, transparency, and accountability, with mechanisms such as public comment periods, documented deliberations, and ongoing review processes.

Common contexts include internet governance, where institutions like ICANN and the Internet Governance Forum use multistakeholder approaches; environmental and sustainability policy; cybersecurity and data governance; and standards development in technology.

Supporters argue that multistakeholder processes increase legitimacy, inclusivity, and technical legitimacy; critics warn of unequal influence, where more powerful actors dominate, and that consensus can slow decision-making or dilute accountability. Effective multistakeholder systems require clear rules for representation, decision rights, conflict resolution, and ongoing evaluation.