The GHfP Institute’s research investigation in the field of governance has been directed at articulating conceptual underpinnings of politics based on clear epistemological, phenomenological and hermeneutical principles.
This is where we believe a fundamental difference can be made by highlighting underlying normative and evaluative design principles for rethinking systematically the kinds of process and institution that good governance would require, and why.
In particular, we put forward the principle that ‘persons are non-instrumentally valuable’ must form the basis of human equality. Under this principle, the main aim of public governance should be the well-being of all persons consistent with our being part of the natural world. This argument contends that any political system seeking such an ethical aspiration must be a participatory deliberative democracy as opposed to representative democracy. Such governance will necessarily be characterised by inclusive dialogic and peaceful processes and supported by caring institutions.
Take Deep Dialogue as an example. Integrating dialogue in governance can help challenge commonly held assumptions about socioeconomic, political and security issues. Equally, it is important to bring leaders and decision-makers together to identify fundamental questions about governance processes, and set challenges for future dialogue and inquiry at local, national, international and global level.
Our Publications:
- DeGruyter book series on Governance : The Institute’s Director, Prof Scherto Gill is the Editor for the series: Re-Imagining Public Governance: Opportunities for Innovation and Promises for Transformation.
- The first of this series is available as an open access book entitled “Beyond Instrumentalised Politics“.
- Special Issue of Journal of Dialogue Studies on “Governance for the Future of Humanity: The Centrality of Dialogue“, edited by Prof Scherto Gill
Our Governance-Related Research
Currently, our team is exploring the following:
- different kinds of inclusive, dialogic, participatory and collaborative approaches to governance;
- opportunities to integrate deep dialogue in international, transnational and global processes;
- dialogic and collaborative practices within institutions, between peoples, groups and communities, and at international diplomacy levels.
Given that these processes tend to involve people insofar as they occupy a well-defined role for a state or a state-like organisation and given that deep dialogue involves or aims for a transformative understanding between persons as such, what practices are most helpful in transcending roles, allegiances and positions? Additionally, the Institute has interest in understanding what part dialogue plays in ensuring openness, harmony and concerted effort for global common good.
Our Governance-Focused Events
We host and facilitate international symposia to explore the relevant questions.
In May 2021, we hosted a two-day International Symposium on Relational Governance;
In May 2022, we co-convened an International Symposium on Revisiting Theories and Practices of Endogenous Governance in Africa, with Afrospectives.
In September 2022, we co-convened an International Symposium on Governance for the Human Future: The Centrality of Dialogue, with Journal of Dialogue Studies.
In 2023, we convened a special dialogue on Good Governance and Global Peace during Rising Global Peace Forum, featuring dialogue between Professors Kenneth Gergen, a significant theorist advocating for social construction movement and relational epistemology, and David Gergen, a senior political analyst for CNN and a professor of public service and the founding director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School.
In 2024, we convened a co-convened, with UNESCO Social and Human Sciences (SHS) Sector, a keynote plenary session on Well-Being of Future Generations: A Co-Creative Approach during the annual Wellbeing Economy Forum in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Please refer to our Events page for further detail on the upcoming events.
