Many lawyers, scientists, technocrats and diplomats love to play the role of clockmakers, crafting small parts and winding up the political clock. In the worst scenario, NGOs are expected to be on standby during the meeting, then are asked to help sell the ideas at home. Most NGOs don't want to be mere vendors of treaties they also want to be treaty experts. So be overly confident. Second, never dismiss treaties as international laws that belong to jurisprudence alone.
Treaties are among our best political instruments, but their power depends on how they are used.
If we seize the opportunity, the process of creating them has as much impact on social change as the outcome. Third, focus on public awareness, information and outreach from the beginning. That crucial second step of implementation at the national level requires an active bottom-up campaign that lets citizens know about their rights according to international agreements. The Kyoto Protocol will not have a life beyond this meeting if the majority of the world's citizens don't know about it. Global warming should become as well-known to the public as recycling and water conservation.