Founded in 1990, the Institute on Governance is an independent, Canada-based, not-for-profit public interest institution with its head office in Ottawa and an office in Toronto. Our mission is ‘advancing better governance in the public interest,’ which we accomplish by exploring, developing and promoting the principles, standards and practices which underlie good governance in the public sphere.
The IOG’s vision is to be the pre-eminent, independent Canadian source of knowledge, research and advice on governance and its continuous improvement.
Over the past 20 years, the IOG has advanced better understanding and practice of good governance in Canada, with federal, provincial, municipal and aboriginal governments, not-for-profit organizations, and in 35 other countries including most recently projects in Iraq, China and Botswana. The IOG’s work is marked by independent thought, innovation, collaboration, excellence, and a responsive and principled approach. The IOG is uniquely positioned, as a truly independent, public purpose organization, to fill the need for knowledge, research and advice on good governance. It is a registered charitable organization.
The IOG offers the people and organizations with whom we work:
1) A system approach taking into account the interaction of complex systems and decision-making
2) A neutral, impartial, independent and confidential working environment for clients addressing real-time governance challenges
3) Access to a network of leading thinkers on governance, with domestic and global expertise in the government, private and non-profit sectors, as well as aboriginal and other governance areas
4) A documentation centre and access to research and development resources to enable clients to apply leading-edge practice.
IOG staff come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. Many have previously held senior positions in the government, academic institutions, and the non-profit and private sectors. We work with associates who contribute their expertise and skills to specific Institute programs, projects and learning events. Our work puts us in contact with senior officials from all levels of government, as well as the voluntary and private sectors. This constant interaction affords us complementary perspectives – inside and outside views – of the challenges facing today’s leaders. Our experience in and across so many different sectors and settings makes our expertise flexible, sensitive, broadly-based and extremely useful to those with whom we work, no matter their location, culture or traditions.
Learn about our staff and associates, Board of Directors and Advisory Councils in our Who We Are section.
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