Building Governance Capability

Governance is no longer performed solely by the state. In today’s complex world, the private sector, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders all play critical roles in co-governing society. This shift requires us to reimagine governance as a collaborative, multi-stakeholder process that goes beyond traditional state-centric approaches. Inspired by the principles of the Building State Capability program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, this program is designed to enhance the ability of diverse actors to address pressing challenges and create public value through innovative and adaptive governance systems.

Program Components

1. Co-Designing Curricula and Learning Systems The Asian School of Governance partners with schools of public administration and government to develop cutting-edge curricula that equip current and future leaders with the skills to navigate complex governance challenges. These next-generation learning systems emphasize experiential learning, adaptive leadership, and problem-driven approaches to build capacity at every level of governance.

2. Developing Leadership and Governance Capacities in State Agencies Working with state agencies at national, regional, and local levels, the program focuses on building the leadership and governance capabilities needed to address dynamic and systemic issues. Through bespoke workshops, coaching, and action-oriented learning, the program supports state actors in driving meaningful, sustainable change.

3. Activating Policy Labs and Co-Creation Labs Policy Labs and Co-Creation Labs are at the heart of fostering innovation ecosystems. These labs bring together government officials, private sector leaders, academics, and civil society actors to prototype and scale innovative solutions. By creating safe spaces for experimentation and iteration, the labs accelerate systems innovation and encourage cross-sector collaboration.

4. Incubating and Strengthening Public Innovation Platforms The program supports the development and scaling of Public Innovation Hubs and other platforms that enable governance and the co-production of public value. These platforms facilitate collective decision-making, resource sharing, and the alignment of diverse stakeholders around common goals. By building these collaborative structures, the program helps unlock new possibilities for public problem-solving.

5. Evolving Institutional Arrangements for Climate Action and Planetary Regeneration Climate action and planetary regeneration demand new governance arrangements that are adaptive, inclusive, and transformative. The program works with governments, international organizations, and local communities to design and implement innovative institutional frameworks that address the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development.

Why This Matters

The governance challenges of the 21st century are unprecedented in their scale and complexity. From responding to climate change to addressing inequality, today’s problems require new approaches that harness the collective capacity of all sectors. The Building Governance Capability initiative equips stakeholders with the tools, networks, and mindsets to drive change in this dynamic environment, ensuring governance systems remain resilient and impactful.