UNDP Global Policy Centre for Governance (Oslo Governance Centre)

Advancing knowledge, data and insight on frontier governance issues

Our focus areas

Just & Inclusive Institutions

Strengthening the Evidence-base for Achieving Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies

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Fair, Green Transition

Unpacking the Political Economy of Fair, Green Transitions

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Information Integrity

Information Integrity for an Open, Inclusive Public Sphere and Informed Civic Engagement

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Financial Integrity

Financial Integrity and Economic Governance for Inclusive, Accountable and Effective Governance Systems

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Our
mission

The UNDP Global Policy Centre for Governance is the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) dedicated knowledge, research and analytical centre for governance issues. From its office in Oslo, Norway, the Centre draws on the experience of practitioners, policymakers and researchers, serving as a convener of new ideas, conduit of frontier research, and connecter of disciplines. Through these efforts, the Centre aspire to be a conversation starter and meeting space that foster transformative change of governance systems in national and global policymaking.

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Latest

Event

COP28 Side Event

Strengthening Energy Governance for a Just Energy Transition
By UNDP, UNFCCC, and Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)

Democracy in Flux: Trends, Challenges and Inclusive solutions

Event by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) and the UNDP Global Policy Centre for Governance

Global Progress Report on SDG 16

The Global progress report on Sustainable Development Goal 16 indicators: A wake-up call for action on peace, justice and inclusion presents the latest analysis of data available on SDG 16 indicators. The data in the report reflects that human rights commitments are not being met, violence is increasing, inequality continues to hinder inclusive decision making and corruption erodes the social contract. The report is the first of its kind, jointly produced by UNDP, UNODC and OHCHR.

Empowering Democracy: Exploring Norway's Role in African Democratic Development

The International Day of Democracy – 15 September 2023

Arendalsuka 2023

UNDP Oslo Governance Centre deltar på årets Arendalsuka med flere arrangementer. Sammen med våre samarbeidspartnere setter vi de store, globale spørsmålene om utvikling og styresett på agendaen.

Under Pressure and for a Higher Purpose: How to Foster Transformational Leadership

The complex and inter-related crises unfolding in relation to climate change, health, inequality, poverty and conflict are placing intensifying demands on governance systems and a formidable strain on political leadership. At the same time, there is growing contestation over how governance is delivered and legitimized. Previously settled opinions on the ideal model of governance are being questioned and tested.

Our participation at the Nobel Prize Summit 2023

UNDP had significant participation this year at the second Nobel Prize Summit, which gathered Nobel laureates, policymakers, members of the public, and global leaders in the arts and sciences from 24-26 May in Washington DC. This year’s summit, co-hosted by the Nobel Foundation and National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, addressed “Truth, Trust and Hope”—and how we can tackle mis- and dis-information, restore trust in science, and build a better, more hopeful and resilient future. 

New Podcast Series #PowerInPlay

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s Global Policy Centre for Governance, The Oslo Governance Centre invites people who impact on the way that governance systems form, perform and are understood. Together with guests we raise acute questions of how systems of power impact people & planet. We get up to date on the latest research and ask challenging questions to those who have power.

Managing Complexity While Building Consensus

The Governance of a Fair Green Transition - this is part of the Governance Nexus Series 2023 by UNDP Oslo Governance Centre.

Navigating the landscape of increased disinformation in Europe and Central Asia

The spread of misinformation and disinformation is an increasingly pressing issue across the world, with growing concern about its impact on democracy, peace, and human rights. The Europe and Central Asia Region is no exception. While the rise of social media has made it easier than ever for false information to spread like wildfire, there are deeper issues at play that have contributed to the rise of disinformation in our society. Widening polarization and the erosion of trust in institutions and media have turned the public away from traditional sources of information.

Our oceans depend on accountable, inclusive and transparent governance

Effective marine and coastal conservation relies on governance institutions that ensure inclusion and participation, uphold accountability and the rule of law, and ensure transparency while controlling corruption and illegal practice. This is the main findings in a new report from UNDPs Global Policy Centre for Governance and The German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), which investigates how the quality of governance helps protect our world’s ocean.

Addressing the information pollution crisis with the power of open source

The Digital Public Goods Alliance and the United Nations Development Programme are collaborating to discover and promote open-source solutions and concepts that can help tackle the urgent global challenge of information pollution. They will showcase this at the Nobel Prize Summit “Truth, Trust and Hope,” hosted by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the Nobel Foundation. Submissions are now being accepted.

How can we emerge stronger from today’s multiple crises?

The session examines the current situation from a historical and future-oriented perspective to understand structural barriers to progress and what it will take to achieve a more sustainable and just future. We take stock of lessons emerging on how communities and countries have handled crises and draw inspiration from the knowledge, experiences and creativity demonstrated, that can help inform new solutions and collaborations to address today’s multiple crises.

Mapping and Analysis of Efforts to Counter Information Pollution in Europe and Central Asia Region

Hope of finding work is the leading factor driving people to join fast-growing violent extremist groups in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to a new report launched today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the contribution from UNDP Oslo Governance Centre.

Mapping and Analysis of Efforts to Counter Information Pollution in Europe and Central Asia Region

To raise awareness and understand information pollution as a global phenomenon, UNDP Oslo Governance Centre and Istanbul Regional Hub have, in a joint effort, finalized a report on regional mapping and analysis which will also inform coherent and effective responses by learning from best practices implemented by various actors. Additionally, with the recent developments in the region, naming the war in Ukraine, protests in Kazakhstan, elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where misinformation is highly prevalent, we see such phenomenon as one of the key factors impacting negatively the crisis.

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Video

Happy New Year from UNDP Oslo Governance Centre!

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Speech

OGC Director, Arvinn Gadgil: New Year Speech 2022 / 2023

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Blog

Masculinities, Misogyny and Violent Extremism

It is now being acknowledged that there are pathways to recruitment and radicalization into misogyny that, in many ways, mirror trajectories for radicalization into ethno-religious extremist groups. “The concept of masculinities as a driver to follow extremism has really started to emerge,” explains Josh Roose, a political sociologist and Associate Professor in Politics and Religion at the Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University in Melbourne. “For the first time we're starting to see really strong patterns emerging across the spectrum.”

Why has Sub-Saharan Africa become the new epicentre for violent extremism?

UNDP’s Oslo Governance Centre and the Regional Bureaux for Africa and Arab States hosted a pre-launch conversation ahead of the continental launch of the upcoming UNDP report Journey to Extremism in Africa: Pathways to Recruitment and Disengagement in 2023. The discussion examined the reasons why Sub-Saharan Africa has emerged as the new epicentre of violent extremism and brought together experts in the field, including local practitioners, academics, and policymakers.

UNDP at the International Anti-Corruption Conference 2022

The 20th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) on ‘Uprooting Corruption, Defending Democratic Values,’ from 6-10 December 2022 gathered heads of state and government alongside leaders from civil society, business, and media from around the world in Washington, D.C. to advance the global fight against corruption.

Would I Lie to You? The Weaponisation of Social Media

While rumours, false information and fabricated content have long existed, new technologies are challenging information integrity in new and alarming ways. It is now acknowledged that, in some instances, digital technologies pose a severe threat to democratic practices across the ideological spectrum.

Journey to Extremism: Pathways to Recruitment and Disengagement

UNDP’s Oslo Governance Centre and the Regional Bureaux for Africa and Arab States invite you to this conversation, held in-person, at Oslo’s Public Library, Deichman Bjørvika on 12th December, 2022. The event will last from 2.30-5pm and is preceded by an exhibition and followed by a reception. This global conversation will convene key stakeholders in the international community, experts and thought leaders in this space to present the key findings of the new flagship report, as well as to facilitate evidence-based and detailed discussions.

COP27: A CHANCE TO ACT

The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) will take place from November 6 to 18 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. As we face the collective threat of climate change, COP27 is an opportunity for world leaders to show solidarity — and take concerted action — when we need it most. COP27 is an opportunity to stand on the right side of history by delivering on the commitments made through scaled-up political will, technical and financial support to drive the transformation toward net zero and climate resilient pathways.

Binalakshmi Nepram Visits Oslo Governance Centre

Ms. Bina Nepram is an indigenous scholar and human rights advocate whose work in Manipur, Northeast India, and South Asia focuses on advancing women-led peace, security, and disarmament, and the strengthening of democracy. We had an intriguing discussion on Bina's work and recent research, and on the future direction of the Oslo Governance Centre, given that the center is presently in a transformative period, seeking to determine its research and engagement agendas for the next four years.

Regional Training on Measuring SDG 16 in Africa II

A series of interactive and online training workshops are being organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA).

Do Governments Listen To Their Citizens?

From Tehran to Santiago, thousands of people have taken to the streets in the hope that their voices will be heard by their governments and their demands responded to by those in power. In recent years, while the global voting rate has fallen, the number of protests around the world has increased. Across all contexts and political systems, protest movements have emerged where people feel excluded, un-heard and marginalized. 6 in 7 people felt insecure even before the pandemic and the multiple crises facing the world today only adds to this sense of uncertainty, as the distance between the decisions made by policymakers and the lives of ordinary people appears to widen.

The 77th United Nations Day

This year, the Oslo Governance Centre, in collaboration with the UN Association of Norway, and UNICEF Norway, hosted a panel discussion on the collective need for a strong UN system. To commemorate the UN's seventy-seventh anniversary, UN experts and Norwegian Members of Parliament were invited to discuss the critical need for a robust relationship between the UN and Norway in order to most effectively address the global challenges we face today.

International Day of Democracy 2022

This year, to mark the International Day of Democracy, the UNDP Oslo Governance Centre met with His Excellency, the President of the Norwegian Parliament, Masud Garahkhani, to discuss the importance of democracy and its many forms of challenges and opportunities.

Promoting Information Integrity in Elections

Elections are under attack around the world. The deployment of sophisticated disinformation tactics is now a common strategy to influence democratic processes. We invite you to join us, as we try to develop a consensus about the scale of the problem, what responses work and why, and how we can mobilise digital technologies effectively in this fight.

SDG 16.7.2: Ensuring Inclusive and Responsive Decision-Making for Sustainable Development

This brief focuses on SDG indicator 16.7.2, which measures people’s belief that the government will listen to, and act on, their opinions. It discusses the indicator’s rationale and its methodology and presents examples of how national statistical offices (NSOs) around the world are already producing statistics on the perceived inclusiveness and responsiveness of public decision-making in their respective countries.