OSLO GOVERNANCE CENTRE: Power Politics Peace (31 May 2022)

https://www1.undp.org/content/oslo-governance-centre/en/home/events/ogc-...

The conference will happen on 31 May 2022

Despite the progress in human prosperity over the last 30 years, the tide is now turning dramatically. We face a number of interconnected emergencies. The climate, nature, food, energy, inequality, poverty and health crises are universal phenomena. The violation of the integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine has brought massive human suffering in Ukraine and has added another layer of devastating knock-on crises for many people around the world.

This is happening at a time when people across the planet are concerned about their future. An astounding six out of seven people are anxious about their security. But how does this affect their behaviour? In the face of political manipulation and polarisation, discrimination, injustice and inequality this may breed an aversity to the change needed to resolve the crises. And that too in a time when we need nothing less than transformational change.

This combination of aversion to change and the need for transformation to confront the crises – constitute a governance and leadership test of momentous proportions.

If we do not find pathways to swift and legitimate action, we will face a crisis of crises: a crisis of governance.

Therefore, we at UNDP Oslo Governance Centre will convene a one-day global hybrid conference to try and begin to answer some of the critical questions that arise from this situation:

• What are the implications of the war in Ukraine on democratic rights around the world?
• Are we facing an emerging global crisis of governance?
• What obstacles are there to fast, deep, accountable and legitimate action?
• How has the COVID 19-crisis impacted democratic processes and human rights?
• What is needed to overcome the scourge of information pollution and the consequent erosion of trust in governance systems and democracy?
• Why should we bother to invest in inclusive, accountable and effective governance in a time of increasing human calamity?