ForumFedCast

What do the experiences of digitalization in different federations tell us about developing digital governance in federal countries? And what lessons are there for policymakers and citizens in an increasingly digital world? In the final episode in our series on federalism and digitalization, we're joined by André Lecours , Eric Champagne and the Forum's own Jamie Thomas , to talk about why federal...

What does successful intergovernmental cooperation in the digitalization of public services look like, and what conditions are needed to make it happen? In the final country minisode in our federalism and digitalization series, Mario Kölling tells us how Spain has built high-performing, interoperable digital public services, despite its historically conflictual political culture.   Read Mario's fu...

Can digitalization become an issue which threatens the status quo in a cooperative federal system? In this minisode, Forum Non-Resident Fellow Sabine Kropp talks to us about how the progress of digitalization in Germany has been affected by the federal structure, and how other factors might also be holding the country back from realizing its digital government potential. Read Sabine's full Germany...

How does digitalization work in a federation of country-sized cities and hamlet-sized municipalities? In this minisode, we speak with Luis Claudio Kubota about how Brazil - a country of continental proportions - has approached digitalization, and the important role of coordination between governments when it comes to providing digital education services. Read the full Brazil chapter by Luis, Danie...

Can digitalization work in a federation where local autonomy is an inseperable part of the governance culture? In this minisode, Tereza Cahlikova tells us how Swiss federal culture has impacted the process of digitalization, as we ask: Is there is anything about digitalization that could challenge Switzerland's long held governance traditions? Read Tereza's chapter on Switzerland and download the...

Canada has embraced open government. And digitalization is crucial to achieving the "transparency, accountability, citizen engagement, and socio-economic benefits" open government is designed to bring. In the first of our federalism and digitalization country minisodes, we're joined by Eric Champagne to discuss what challenges - and opportunities - there are in implementing digital open government...

How are digital technologies shaping how governments in federal countries communicate, interact with, and provide services to their citizens? And what opportunities and challenges do governments in federations face in integrating new technology? In this new series, we'll explore these questions and more to find out how federations around the world are doing digitalization. In the first episode of...

How do governments in multilingual federal countries approach the use of language in different areas? How do governance institutions in federations shape language provisions and accommodate the language needs of different linguistic communities? In the concluding episode of our mini-series on language policy and federalism, we take a deep dive into how language policies in Canada, India and South...

Why is language such an important factor in how people live their daily lives in federations? How does language impact on how people interact with governance systems and each other in federal and multilevel countries? In the first part of our two part mini-series on language policy and federalism, we explore language and its relationship to identity, community, and the state. And we delve in to th...

What have federations in different parts of the world been doing to address climate change? What strategies are governments using to cultivate change? And what about the other players involved in the climate equation – how do they fit in? In our second and final episode on federalism and climate change, we’re asking big questions and perusing the practical. We’re taking a look at the intricacies o...

How can federations tackle the critical issue of climate change? What are the opportunities and challenges of making progress toward the goals of the Paris Agreement in federal countries? In the first part of our series on federalism and climate change, we explore the sometimes complicated dynamics of climate governance in federal countries, including how a multilevel governance structure can supp...

What has the changing nature of COVID-19 taught us about governance dynamics in federations? And in what ways has federalism been effective and ineffective in various responses to the pandemic over time?   In this episode we explore how federal responses to COVID-19 have changed over the course of the crisis in Latin American, European, African, and Asian federations. Joining us on this episode: L...

Is federalism a solution to the challenges of building sustainable peace in fragile and conflict-affected states? Can a federal peacebuilding approach be codified into a federalism ‘pathway for peace’?   We explore the application of federalism as a peacebuilding mechanism, including opportunities, limitations, and how we can achieve more sustainable results, drawing on the experiences of three fr...

With gender equality now a priority in international development, how are donors and development practitioners supporting the empowerment women and girls around the world? What is the connection between gender equality, governance and development? How can we build a more equal world? In the final episode of our series on gender equality and federal & decentralized governance, we explore Canada and...

What are the opportunities and challenges experienced by women to engage and participate in politics in federal countries? In the second in our three-part series on gender equality and federal & decentralized governance, we examine the factors that affect women's representation and participation in public office in federal countries. We also explore the role of men in fostering gender quality, and...

What impact does federal and decentralized governance have on gender equality? In the first in a three part series, we explore the relationship between federal and decentralized systems and gender equality. How do these dynamics affect women and girls, and what opportunities and limitations are there for advancing gender equality in these systems? Joining us on this episode: Dr. Christine Forster...

Federalism is seen by some in the international community as an important tool to support peacebuilding and reconciliation processes in divided societies. But how and in what contexts can it be used most effectively? We examine how federalism has been used, or proposed, as mechanism to support sustainable peace and development in three countries: Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Cyprus. Joining us on this e...

How do governments in federations coordinate responses to emergency situations like COVID-19? We examine the intergovernmental coordination practices used in Germany and Australia - two countries that received international attention for their success in controlling the first wave of Coronavirus - and assess what lessons might be learned from these experiences. Joining us on this episode: Professo...

We explore how the Coronavirus pandemic has impacted federal governance dynamics in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, and assess the implications of the crisis on the federations in North America. Joining us on this episode: The Honourable Bob Rae , Former Premier of Ontario. Professor John Kincaid , Robert B. and Helen S. Meyner Professor of Government and Public Service, President of the Ce...