The Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI), the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) hosted an evening discussion on the challenges of collective governance, drawing on the experience of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which is the subject of a new book, Beyond Governments by Eddie Rich and Jonas Moberg.
Panelists:
Sonia Balcazar, Consultant Associate, Synergos Consulting Services; Former Regional Development Planning Manager, Rio Tinto La Granja Project, Peru
Gubad Ibadoghlu, Senior Analyst, Economic Research Center, Azerbaijan; Board Member, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) International
Eddie Rich, Deputy Head, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) International Secretariat
Moderated by:
Alison Taylor, Director, Energy and Extractives, BSR
In a world characterized by globalization, governments increasingly find themselves unable to govern. Corruption is everywhere, natural resources are being exploited, the environment damaged, markets distorted, and the fight against poverty is often ineffective. Certain challenges cannot be addressed by governments alone. Increasingly, collective governance “beyond governments” is seen as part of the solution, with state and non-state actors working together.
Beyond Governments is a new book by Eddie Rich and Jonas Moberg. It sets out a framework for those wishing to implement collective governance, involving civil society, companies and governments as key actors. Informed by over eight years of running EITI—most advanced example of collective governance at the international level—the pair outline the practicalities and pitfalls they have experienced at the helm of EITI. Beyond Governments tells a positive story of how this type of innovative governance can make real achievements, but also cautions against those who see collective governance as a panacea for development challenges. The book provides practical guidance from a practitioner’s perspective and is essential reading for those in government, business and academia.
