The annual conference of the Global Transformations and Governance Challenges (GTGC) interdisciplinary research programme will take place in The Hague on 7-9 June. Why should you be there? 'The problems in the world affect us all. This conference will be looking at planetary governance', says programme chair Jan Aart Scholte.
What is the best way to address global changes (in areas such as the climate, the economy and technology) at the governance level? This is the central question of the annual GTGC conference, to be held this year in The Hague on 7-9 June. The conference (in English) is open to everyone, from academics to a broad, general audience. Prof. Jan Aart Scholte explains why this conference is of interest to citizens, policymakers and researchers alike.
This conference 'thinks planetary'
'Governance and global problems affect us all,' says Prof. Jan Aart Scholte. 'But national politics often focuses on the small scale, with short-term policies. By contrast, our research field and this conference look at governance with a global effect, and in the long term. We say: "Think planetary", far beyond your own national borders. If you're interested in today's challenges, for example in the areas of the climate and migration, this conference gives you the opportunity to gain many different insights. People often don't have the chance to learn more about global problems and potential solutions. This conference offers that chance.'
International policymakers coming to The Hague
'From local authority representatives to international policymakers: they're all coming to the GTGC conference', says Scholte. 'The opening session on the future of multilateralism, for example, is a round table that includes representatives of the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Board, which recently published a new policy report on effective and inclusive global governance. They're going to engage in discussion with academics who recently published their own findings on what is needed to make global governing bodies more effective. And the other round tables will also have high-profile participants: the discussion on whether sanctions actually work will include the political scientist Tom Biersteker; and the session about climate will feature representatives of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, members of the Lower House of the Dutch parliament and a European delegation. This is particularly interesting because effective governance is also about good interaction between the local, national and international levels.'
Activists also taking part
'Global problems affect citizens, so we also want the conference to focus attention on them. The final round table session, on the Friday, will look at local initiatives in The Hague. Representatives of grassroots movements, such as Shelter City, HIJAZ, Extinction Rebellion and Vers & Vrij (Fresh & Free), will discuss mobilising citizens for specific issues. How do you interact with people and how do you encourage them to talk about global problems? We also want to bring the general public into this discussion, so this session will be held in The Hague Humanity Hub, a meeting place for many citizen initiatives in The Hague.'
To register or to learn more, please see here.
About the Global Transformations and Governance Challenges research programme
Ongoing global developments have created new challenges for our societies. Take, for example, the need for coordinated international approaches to pandemics, global warming and migration; or the importance of benefiting from new technologies while also tackling their potential negative effects. Leiden University's Global Transformations and Governance Challenges interdisciplinary research programme explores how we can address these global transformations in democratic, effective, fair, peaceful and sustainable ways.
