Why Good Governance?

Addressing global questions and local problems requires collaboration between governments, the private sector and civil society. How does systematic “campaigning” motivate citizens to participate in developing a sustainable municipal energy policy? How does one establish a Corporate Social Responsibility strategy within a small-scale German business? How does one create a certification system that will improve working conditions in the textile industry?

Individual actors, governments or institutions alone can no longer adequately address these types of problems on their own. Important impulses towards change must now come from a multitude of national and international organisations, which together form the network of actors commonly understood by the concept of “governance.” In order to successfully respond to today’s most pressing concerns and prepare to address similar issues in the future, it has become vital for the political, the private and the public sectors to work together.

The development of an accountable and dialogue-oriented style of leadership in advocacy groups, businesses, governments and organisations is a prerequisite for the successful cooperation of governments, the private sector and civil society.

Traditional academic schooling is no longer enough to train leaders in politics, the private sector, and civil society to meet all of the obstacles that society presents. Furthermore, facilitating and improving the communication between different societal sectors now requires independent actors, who develop innovative approaches to change beyond the limits of single academic disciplines.

These are the demands that the HUMBOLDT-VIADRINA School of Governance is committed to meeting.