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Influence
Global Governance Reforms
Reimagining Multilateralism for People and Planet
The world is at a crossroads. Inequality, climate breakdown, conflict, shrinking civic space, and disruptive technologies are exposing the limits of today’s global governance. Forus and its members believe change is possible — but only if reforms put people first.
Global governance reform is not an elite debate.
It is about whether families have food on the table, whether activists can work without fear, whether communities on the frontlines of climate change are heard, and whether future generations inherit a just and livable planet.
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Global Governance Reforms
Vision
At Forus, we believe multilateralism can be renewed — but only if it listens, protects, and empowers communities everywhere. We work to make global institutions more inclusive, accountable, and responsive to the realities of communities around the world. We believe global governance should:
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1
Protect people and reduce inequalities — no reform is successful unless it narrows the gaps between those who are safe and those left unprotected.
2
Shift power closer to communities — decisions and resources must move towards local actors, especially women, youth, and Indigenous leaders.
3
Guarantee civic space and an enabling environment for civil society — civil society must be free to participate safely and meaningfully at all levels.
4
Ensure fair and predictable financing — aid, climate, and development finance must support long-term, people-centered solutions.
5
Respond to the future — from AI to climate shocks, governance must evolve with new realities, guided by rights and justice.
What is this reform advancing?
Three tests for reform
We want all reforms to respond to principles of justice, inclusivity, and rights.
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Every proposal should answer three questions:
1
Inequality: Does it measurably close gaps in who is protected and who benefits?
2
Localisation: Does it move money, decisions, and accountability closer to communities—with clear targets and timelines?
3
Rights: Does it strengthen—not dilute—gender equality, human rights, and environmental sustainability/climate resilience?
Forus work
From the United Nations to public development banks, from donor policy frameworks to digital governance, we push for reforms that protect rights, reduce inequalities, and ensure that decisions are shaped with civil society, not behind closed doors. Our advocacy spans the UN, global finance, aid, digital rights, and major international agendas. Here you’ll find a snapshot of where we stand and the change we’re driving—click through each area to explore more and look at our recommendations at a glance below.
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Member Voices
In our stories section below you can find a rotating space for testimonies, op-eds, podcasts, and country snapshots from Forus members on why reform matters where they live. Share your story!
Resources & Highlights
From calls to reform the UN at 80 to joint civil society declarations on finance, our latest resources highlight pathways to rebuild trust, strengthen inclusive governance, and align global finance with justice and sustainability. Explore opinion pieces, policy notes, reports, and toolkits shaping fairer development and climate action.
Media requests
Journalists can connect with the Forus global network of civil society organisations driving systemic reforms. Do you want to know if global reforms are truly closing inequality gaps, giving communities more control, and advancing gender equality and human rights?
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2025-08-06
Co-ordinating Action for Civic SpaceThis toolkit offers practical guidance to adherents to the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Recommendation on Enabling Civil Society in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance. It helps them implement the Recommendation’s provisions pertaining to respecting, protecting and promoting civic space in partner countries. It focuses on how providers can co-ordinate –with civil society, within provider governments, among providers, and with international bodies and other development actors– to protect and promote civic space, while recognising the need to co-ordinate with partner-country governments throughout.
2024-02-20
UNMute Civil Society Statement - Summit of the FutureA coalition of over 300 civil society organisations part of the #UNmute initiative, shared concerns over the current engagement mechanisms for civil society in the UN – particularly in light of the upcoming Summit of the Future preparatory process.
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Global Governance & UN Reform
Contact Us
For more information on our activities and how to get involved, please reach out to our team at [email protected]
Media & speaking: Contact us for briefings, quotes, and expert speakers.
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