TAI Weekly

TAI Weekly|Are We Losing Hope in Democratic Institutions?

By TAI (Role at TAI)
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TAI Weekly

WHAT'S NEW? 

The UN unveils new guidance on governing AI for humanity. It’s high level advisory panel suggests seven recommendations to address gaps in current AI governance arrangements.

Staying with the UN, a High-Level Panel has released seven principles aimed at guiding critical minerals' development toward equity and justice. For more insight, read the take of the team at Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment's perspective.

A new paper by Marie-Isabel Theuwis investigates how participatory budgets influence citizens' populist attitudes, shedding light on the potential of inclusive budgeting to reshape public engagement.

A new T20 report addresses the pressing topic of subsidies and calls for improving tax expenditure reporting, further evidence of the need for transparency in fiscal policies.

Campaigners argue that implementing fair taxes on superyachts and private jets in the UK could generate £2 billion annually, potentially funding climate initiatives and reducing emissions.

The Economist examines the European Union's struggle to fulfill its promises of combating corruption among member states, reflective of deeper issues within the EU’s governance structures. They also wonder if the UK government is better set to address the issue of dirty money compared to the previous Tory administration. 

A recent study discusses the political economy of open contracting reforms in low- and middle-income countries. Isabelle Adam, Elizabeth Dávid-Barrett, Mihály Fazekas highlight the challenges and opportunities for enhancing transparency.

Caroline Biotteau expresses hope for community engagement in shaping a green hydrogen economy in Colombia, highlighting the importance of inclusive development in achieving sustainable energy goals.

Senegal has established a National Steering Committee for the Open Government Partnership, marking a significant step towards greater collaboration and transparency in governance. This initiative results from years of advocacy by civil society in the country. 

A recent report reveals that billions of US philanthropic dollars have been channeled to climate disinformation groups, so in effect subsidized by US taxpayers.

The Knight Foundation has invested more than $100 million to support independent research and nonpartisan digital policy. Check out this innovative report on promoting a more informed public dialogue around engagement with technology.

ESSENTIAL LISTENING!

For those interested in diving deeper into the conversation around media and democracy, don’t miss the insightful podcast titled Computer Says Maybe. This episode explores the nuances of how digital media can influence policy and practice, providing valuable context to the themes addressed in the report.

FROM OUR MEMBERS 

MACARTHUR FOUNDATION: Is supporting this blog series, including the latest from Diana Chigas who delves into the complexities surrounding gender, faith, and social norms that drive corruption.

FORD FOUNDATION: Hilary Pennington shares her perspectives on the role of intermediary funds in philanthropy. (Stay tuned for TAI’s scoping of Global South based intermediaries with a track record on accountability issues!)

LUMINATE:  Toyin Akinnyi, Vice President for Africa, and TAI Steering Comitee member, emphasizes the transformative power of collaboration and community between civil society organizations in the last episode of the podcast Talk to me directly. She deplores the misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms that hinder women’s participation in politics, and advocates for storytelling as a means of holding a mirror up to Big Tech.

ESSENTIAL LISTENING!

Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, shares his thoughts on bold philanthropic leadership and the critical need to invest in institutions that advocate for justice. As he prepares to step down, Darren reflects on his tenure, discussing both accomplishments and regrets. 

TOOLS AND TRENDS FOR FUNDERS 

Jean Scrimgeour of Accountability Lab addresses the challenges of integrating accountability into localization agendas. In this first of two blogs, Jean explores the complexities organizations face in becoming truly accountable to their stakeholders, including staff, partners, and donors. 

Mandy Van Deven has curated a special issue on wellbeing in philanthropy, emphasizing the importance of care and healing within funding practices. 

The Human Rights Funders Network has a new analysis of grants data from 2020, revealing a record-breaking $4.9 billion in human rights funding—a 21% increase from the previous year. While this growth reflects a positive trend, the report also underscores ongoing challenges, such as global funding disparities and limited support for intersectional initiatives. 

A complementary funding report details trends for those working on human rights, gender, climate, and environmental justice. This comprehensive report sheds light on the current state of funding, highlighting key insights for both private and public funders.

ESSENTIAL WATCHING!

Join the conversation on effective strategies for implementing systems change in philanthropy. This webinar, hosted by Alliance Magazine in partnership with Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, dives into practical applications of systems change principles. 

FOCUSED TOPIC OF THE WEEK: Trust & Democratic Space

Are We Opening the Door to Non-democratic Alternatives?

We’ve covered lots of opinion and polling this year pointing to declining public trust in democratic institutions and openness to non-democratic alternatives. The sixth edition of the Global State of Democracy Report is the latest to reveal a troubling decline in perceptions of electoral integrity amid a tumultuous election year. The gap between democratic aspirations and the reality on the ground has never seemed wider. 

In the face of these daunting challenges, Yordanos Eyoel and former TAI steering committee member Andrew Clarke highlight the vital role of cross-sector collaboration within the democracy entrepreneurship field. Their recent article argues that building partnerships across various sectors is essential to amplify voices that have long been marginalized, creating pathways to meaningful change.

Adding to the urgency, Gavin Hayman reflects on new details of the UK’s Covid procurement processes pointing to alarming inefficiencies and a lack of accountability that further eroded public trust in government. These revelations call for a rigorous reassessment of oversight mechanisms and a renewed commitment to transparency in public service—elements crucial for restoring faith in democratic institutions.

Meanwhile, 400 plus civil society organizations in Europe are rallying to demand that EU leaders take decisive action to cultivate a vibrant civic space and uphold fundamental rights. Their open letter lays out expectations for the next five years, urging proactive measures to protect democratic norms and empower citizens.

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