The aim of the Global Institutional Reform (GIR) project is to focus directly on the issues of global governance and, in particular, global governance reform. The GIR examines contemporary global governance in the widest sense - looking across the large spectrum of global governance organizations and institutions.

The GIR Workshop consists of past and current global governance researchers. The continuing goal is to examine how global governance can be effective in encouraging international development, promoting continued economic growth, and maintaining international peace and stability; where are goals not currently being met and what reforms might bring greater success?

The Director of the GIR Workshop is Alan S. Alexandroff, Research Director for the Program on Conflict Management and Negotiation at the Munk Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto, and CIGI Senior Fellow.

PARTNERS

• Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Partnering with the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, and with the able assistance of G. John Ikenberry, the Albert G. Milbank Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University, the GIR held its first Princeton Summer Workshop to discuss and debate the first drafts of the research organized on global governance reform.

The Workshop is a biennial conference designed to allow researchers to present their current research on global governance and reform.

PUBLICATIONS

First Volume (2008): Can the World be Governed? Possibilities or Effective Multilateralism
In this book, leading international relations experts and practitioners examine through theory and case study the prospect for successful multilateral management of the global economy and international security. In the theory section, contributors tackle the big questions: Why is there an apparent rising tide of calls for reform of current multilateral organizations and institutions? Why are there growing questions over the effectiveness of global governance? Is the reform of current organizations and institutions likely or possible?

Case studies include the examination of difficulties facing global development, the challenges facing the IMF and the governance of global finance, the problems of the UN 2005 World Summit and its failed reform, and the WTO and the questions raised by the prolonged Doha Development Round. Read more>>

Second Volume (forthcoming): Can the World be Governed? Rising States: Rising Institutions
The subtitle in this new volume reflects directions and new influences identified in the evolution of global governance in Can the World be Governed? Possibilities for Effective Multilateralism, Vol. 1. Based on a number of chapters, it was recommended in the concluding chapters of that volume, to explore further the impact of BRICs on global governance and global governance reform; the emerging role of more informal and functionally specific organizations; and new issues and problems ripe for the development of global governance.

Critical questions to be addressed: Will a new U.S. administration revise the Bush administration's ambivalent stance over multilateralism? How do informal organizations influence multilateralism? Should global security organizations only include ‘democratic' members?