Diplomacy & Development: Advancing Ethics in Global Governance

In ‘The Ethics of Global Governance’, edited by Antonio Franceschete, the central argument is that “ethical reasoning and moral norms are part of the political constitution of global governance and that, within that context, ethics is vital to challenging and changing the political realities and problems of world order

Regrettably, however, we have seen a breakdown in ethical governance around the globe.  In a 2022 report by Freedom House on ‘The Global Expansion of Authoritarian Rule’ it is argued that “the Global order is nearing a tipping point (due to the threats of):

• Authoritarian regimes (becoming) more effective at co-opting or circumventing the norms and institutions meant to support basic liberties,

• In countries with long-established democracies, internal forces have exploited the shortcomings in their systems, distorting national politics to promote hatred, violence, and unbridled power, and

• Those countries that have struggled in the space between democracy and authoritarianism, meanwhile, are increasingly tilting toward the latter”.

This global crisis is strongly emphasised by recent figures on forced migration.  In the World Bank ‘Forced Displacement Report’, 2024, it was estimated that some 122.6 million were forcibly displaced because of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations and that “some 400 million of the extreme poor will be living in fragile countries in the next 10 years”.  Critically, the necessary physical and social infrastructure necessary for citizens to lead their life with any dignity and meaning will have been destroyed. 

Noting the Freedom House warning that

“The current state of global freedom should raise alarm among all who value their own rights and those of their fellow human beings”.

and strongly concurring  with the central argument of the Franceschete publication, the CSIG will work with those who share our values to address these issues and help reverse this decline.

We will work where diplomacy and development meet, seeking to build sustainable, healthy and productive societies, led through ethical governance.  Linking efforts nationally, regionally and internationally, we will engage with governments, academic institutions, CSOs, the private sector and global and regional organizations.  We will advise donors and international agencies on strategic investments, and support efforts to maximize the impact of resources allocated to projects that advance ethics in global governance to  promote human rights, democracy, and peace.

The CSIG’s team have wide and deep international development and diplomatic experience to offer to do this, having variously worked in both traditional development and fragile state situations, and in some of the world’s poorest places, at grass roots and at high level and bridging gaps in communications.