This course presents an overview of the key concepts surrounding governance, sustainability and globalisation and the implications for MNEs. Of particular focus are new forms of interaction between state, business and civil society, which enables new forms of governance, accountability, and cooperation on sustainability challenges. 

Sustainability crosses national boundaries beyond national jurisdiction. It involves complex system interactions and challenges, often known as “wicked problems” or “grand societal challenges” which influence how we live, both now and in the future. Because of the complexity and scale, new forms of governance emerge to fill “governance gaps”. These involve a range of actors and institutions and different mechanisms operating at multiple levels to bring about a change in behaviours. Actors include governments, Inter-Governmental Organisations (IGOs), NGOs, businesses, civil society and academia.

This course takes a closer look at sustainability issues and governance initiatives to assess the different governance mechanisms for different sustainability challenges, drawing through the implications for MNEs.

Upon the completion of the course, students will:

• Understand the implications of globalisation for sustainability challenges
• Assess the role of actors, including MNEs, in systems of governance
• Evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of various governance mechanisms at the corporate level for MNEs.
• Understand the dynamics between government, business and civil society within governance systems and the legal, market and social mechanisms, which are deployed to influence corporate behaviours at international, national and local levels.

Attendance is a firm requirement of this course as many of the learning experiences take place during class and through interactions with peers. The attendance requirement is met if students are present for at least 80% of the scheduled sessions. Students who fail to meet the attendance requirement are de-registered from the course. Missing sessions will affect class participation credits and may also affect other graded components realized during class. In the exceptional case that you cannot attend a session due important reasons (e.g., sick leave, quarantine), you should provide proof of this. 

Through the different learning blocks throughout the course, you will study different theories, concepts, and approaches. You will be given a range of opportunities to apply these in practical settings- both in-class exercises and in the course assessment.

• Assignment 1:  Group Wiki: globalisation and governance SDG Wiki (group) 30%
• Assignment 2:Group Assignment: Assessment of actors, mechanisms and governance style for artisanal mining in Kenya. 30%
• Assignment 3: Individual Assignment:  Multi-stakeholder partnership assessment 30%
• Class participation: 10% 

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