International Programming

Over the past 20 years, the Institute has worked with donor organizations, national or state governments and local civil society organizations in more than 30 countries to build capacity for more effective governance. Our Canadian and international work is informed by each experience and we bring innovative, practical solutions to bear. 

Our clients and partners include countries facing political, economic or social transition, post-conflict reconstruction, fragile states and advanced countries seeking new approaches. Sensitive to varying cultures and traditions around the world, the Institute On Governance works alongside its clients to help them address their needs. We recognize that there is no single model for effective governance. 

The Institute has worked in and for over 30 countries, under the auspices of UNDP (inc. Latvia, Lebanon, Egypt, Eastern Europe, Cameroon, Togo, Mali), UNESCO (Eastern Europe), World Bank (inc. research work for African & the Middle Eastern countries), CIDA (inc. Latvia, South East Asia, South Asia, South Africa, Tunisia), DFAIT (Republic of the Congo), the Ford Foundation (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka) and DFID.  We have convened or spoken at international conferences in collaboration with UNDP, AsDB, World Bank (then EDI), CIDA, etc.

How we can help you

The IOG has experience and expertise in the following areas:

Creating relationships between government and civil society, and fostering public/private partnerships

Getting the job done in to-day’s more open societies requires input from all sectors.  Stakeholders from government, civil society and business, working together, can often develop more responsive and lasting solutions than those achieved by any one sector acting alone. Ignoring the talents and experience of non-government organizations can lead to second-rate solutions. Newly emerged democracies or fragile states may wish to broaden their efforts by engaging other sectors of society. The IOG can help partners explore new relationships, break down barriers between potential partners and create a strong, mutually supportive bond for moving towards common goals. For more information please visit the Building Strong Partnerships page.

Building the capacity of leaders in government and civil society

New responsibilities in and outside government require new leadership skills.  The IOG has worked with senior political, civil service and civil society leaders to develop talents and attitudes that foster the kind of individual needed in our inter-connected world.  Institutionalizing these skills throughout an organization and encouraging cross-sectoral, regional or international learning broadens the capacity of people, individually and collectively, to deal successfully with to-day’s demands.  For more information please visit the Board & Organizational Governance, Building Strong Partnerships and Learning Centre pages.

Clarifying decision-making process, policy development and the role of decision-makers

Successful policies and programs—in or outside government—depend on good ideas, sound analysis, responsive options, a logical process for making decisions, means for communicating decisions to those affected and ways of evaluating progress.  Weaknesses in any one of these links can diminish the end result.  IOG’s work in this area blends capacity development with streamlining process and structures to better meet the needs of the organization.  For more information please visit the Modernizing Government page.

Civil service reform

The civil service provides delivery of programs and policy advice that support the government and therefore is a fundamental asset of the nation.  Changing the way the civil service acts is part of aligning a government with modern practices.  Civil service reform includes human resource management, development of incentives, adopting new behaviours and structures, and encouraging greater openness across and beyond government.  Changes of this kind can take decades to take root and constant nurturing is required along the way.  Setting the right objectives and plans from the beginning is critical. For more information please visit the Modernizing Government page.

Initiating regional or international networks for the exchange of information

Government and civil society leaders can benefit from exchanging information and practices with like-minded individuals across a region or internationally.  The IOG has fostered many networks over the years and understands how to build and nurture them.  Whether you decide to join an existing network or see value in creating a new one, opening your doors to fresh ideas and proven approaches can make your work easier.

Inclusive Governance

One of the challenges faced in all democracies, but especially in emerging democracies or fragile states, is the challenge to include all sectors of the population in the governance process. The IOG has developed and implemented projects which have engaged and empowered youth, women and indigenous peoples in the governance process. These projects have focused on addressing a range of practical issues in the health, education and environment sectors such as HIV/AIDS, watershed management, sanitation and economic development. For additional information, please see Aboriginal Governance and Health and Innovation.

Our services

• Diagnostics & recommendations;
• Strategic and implementation planning;
• Benchmarking and comparative practices;
• Design, planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects;
• Support for leaders of change;
• Assistance for ‘fragile’ or emerging states;
• Research into ‘governance’ as a practice (including definitions, training manuals, frameworks, indicators, and assessment tools); and
• Professional development and capacity building programs.
• Development of training institutions
• Establishing sustainable rule of law practices and programs

To enquire about IOG's International programming, knowledge and services, please contact us.