Amid the pandemic disruption, critical questions arise on the implications for government and governance. Questions also arise over global institutions’ scope and capacity to act and whether a new digital era ones requires new structures and mechansisms. Nationally, democracies question whether unity governments should replace party divides.

Others face choices emergency powers, when to relinquish them, and ensuring oversight. Operationally, many are learning how to run parliaments, government, and governance remotely. Finally, with electronic mechanisms introduced to tag, track, and trace, civil liberties issues also arise over state surveillance. Secondary questions also emerge over regulation of private sector operators of such services.

So, what could this all mean for the future of government and governance? In this session, a global panel of experts will share perspectives on these critical topics. Key questions will include:
• Models of Government and Governance – How might current models evolve and how can we make them robust, transparent, and effective?
• Digital Nations – Which crisis driven digital innovations could enhance communication, citizen engagement, collaboration, and enable new approaches to national decision making and problem solving?
• Nations of the Brink – What are the prospects for ‘weak and failing states’ and what new thinking and approaches are required to support their citizens?
• Global Mechanisms – How can we ensure global institutions are fit for the future, and are new types of institutions required?
• Surveillance Society – What’s reasonable, how do we monitor and control the initiatives and regulate the use of our data?
• Scenarios – What plausible scenarios and models for government and governance are emerging at the national and global level?

Panel
Miranda Mantey, ATB Financial, Canada
Prof. Geoff Mulgan, UCL, London
Claire Nelson, Futures Forum, USA
Rohit Talwar, Fast Future (Moderator), UK