In this book, Nora McKeon provides a comprehensive analysis of UN engagement with civil society. The book pays particular attention to food and agriculture, which now lie at the heart of global governance issues. McKeon shows that politically meaningful space for civil society can be introduced into UN policy dialogue. The United Nations and Global Civil Society also makes the case that it is only by engaging with organizations that legitimately speak for the poor that the UN can promote equitable, sustainable development and build global democracy from the ground up.This book has strong ramifications for global governance, civil society and the contemporary debate over the future of food.