This paper presents reflections based on a study of Danish and South Korean environmental NGOs and their work to engage and inspire the public through non formal environmental education. Through interviews with key persons within the educational departments of leading Danish and South Korean environmental NGOs a qualitative focus on the perceptions of their own work and the public as a learning entity was established (Lysgaard, 2012). This paper draws on this study, but focus on the significance of engaging the public for the individual staff member. Why do environmental NGOs rely on concepts such as participation and interactivity in spite of the often less than inspiring results? This paper is a philosophical foray into how the individual subjects, the educators from Danish and South Korean environmental NGOs creates meaning when engaging the public.