At the global level, a defining feature of what is now called ‘global health governance’ is the extension of the role of policy actor beyond national governments and international agencies to include public/private partnerships, private foundations, international NGOs, as well as the private sector. In this report, Roger Magnusson asks whether non-government organizations can engage in, and implement, public health policy; or is their role restricted to raising awareness in the community, lobbying governments, and engaging with the media and other stakeholders within their areas of expertise?