A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Northeastern University�s School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs and the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR) established a multi-year collaboration focused on global governance innovation. The partnership anchors UNU-CPR�s Global Governance Innovation Platform, which identifies, analyzes, and visualizes effective governance practices to inform new multilateral institutions and reform existing ones.

The initiative will consolidate governance models and practices through an interactive digital platform, featuring case studies, participatory modeling, data visualization, and historical analysis. Capacity-building activities, knowledge exchanges, seminars, and research co-supervision will complement the platform.

Dr. David Passarelli, UNU-CPR Director, emphasized that the partnership strengthens international cooperation by showcasing the innovation embedded in successful institutions and partnerships, supporting the design of multilateral solutions for complex transboundary challenges.

Northeastern faculty highlighted the role of participatory modeling and advanced data visualization in understanding complex governance structures, simulating impacts of policy choices, and making abstract institutional features accessible to diverse audiences.

UNU Rector and UN Under-Secretary-General Tshilidzi Marwala noted that the collaboration advances practical and innovative policy solutions for a stronger, more resilient multilateral system, building on commitments made at the 2024 Summit of the Future.

This partnership responds to calls from the UN Secretary-General for systematic methods to gather, study, and disseminate innovative governance practices that can enhance the effectiveness of multilateral institutions.