From Sept. 25 to 27, the United Nations will vote on adoption of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), a set of international development targets set to replace the Millennium Development Goals, which expire at the end of 2015.

The SDGs aim to eradicate poverty, build sustainable cities and combat climate change. Unlike the Millennium Development Goals, which were largely assigned in a top-down manner in New York and Geneva, the SDGs were conceived more democratically after three years of deliberation by a group of representatives from 70 countries. In addition to government representation, there was a high-level panel that included representatives from civil society, the private sector and academia, alongside local and national governments. In fact, the U.N. conducted the largest consultation in its history to shape the SDGs. These conversations included thematic and national discussions in addition to door-to-door surveys that sought feedback from a variety of stakeholders.

To get serious about delivering on the promise to leave no one behind, commitment to principles needs to be accompanied by action, measurable objectives and rigorous analysis. – Molly Elgin-Cossart

Perhaps as a result of this collaborative process, one of the objectives calls for “responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels,” calling for a new type of civic engagement that isn’t limited to elections and includes citizens in local governance and political decision-making.