The Forum of Federations is an international organization based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
It develops and shares comparative expertise on the practice of federal and decentralized governance through a global network.
The Forum and its partners comprise a global network on federalism.
It connects the world’s leading experts with practitioners of government — elected officials, civil servants, and political operatives from many countries.
Its learning and technical assistance programs have been implemented in countries such as: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Burma, Canada, Ethiopia, Germany, India, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
The Forum’s direct relationship with governments on each continent enables it to promote intergovernmental learning in partnership with its member and partner governments.
Organization
- Established: 1999 (Government of Canada)
- Partner Governments (as of 2023):
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Ethiopia
- Germany
- India
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Switzerland
- Headquarters: Ottawa, Canada
- Field Offices:
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Manila, Philippines
- Berlin, Germany
- India
- MENA Region: Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia
Mandate & Focus Areas: - Promote democracy and stability in federal, devolved, and decentralized states. - Assist in post-conflict governance building. - Provide innovative solutions to challenges in multi-level governance. - Bridge academic research with practical governance. - Empower local communities and improve intergovernmental relations.
Key Stakeholders: - Government officials - Academic experts - Young professionals - Civil society organizations - Journalists
Activities
- Programs: Policy & Research Programs; Development Assistance Programs (DAP)
- Publications: Books, reports, and papers on federalism and governance.
- Events: Workshops, roundtables, training sessions (~40 annually) across 20+ countries.
- Conferences: Major international conferences held approximately every three years.
Programs
Policy Programs
- Combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience.
- Focus areas:
- Governance & Service Delivery
- Environment
- Constitutional Issues
- Diversity & Inclusion
Development Assistance Programs (DAP)
- Build capacity in multilevel governance in transitioning states.
- Work in countries including: Burma, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen.
- Promote gender equality, inclusive governance, and peacebuilding.
MENA Women’s Leadership Program
- Region: Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia
- Launched: 2016, funded by Global Affairs Canada
- Goal: Empower women for leadership roles and inclusiveness in governance.
- Duration: 7-year project.
Publications
Notable works include: - Handbook of Federal Countries 2020 - Public Security in Federal Polities - Gender Equality and Federalism - Sub-National Constitutions in Federal Systems - Federalism and Education - Intergovernmental Relations in Federal Systems - Diversity and Unity in Federal Countries (ISBN 978-0-7735-3732-3) - Local Government and Metropolitan Regions in Federal Systems (ISBN 978-0-7735-3562-6) - Foreign Relations in Federal Countries (ISBN 978-0-7735-3501-5) - The Practice of Fiscal Federalism (ISBN 978-0-7735-3301-1) - Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Governance in Federal Countries (ISBN 978-0-7735-3134-5) - Distribution of Powers and Responsibilities in Federal Countries (ISBN 978-0-7735-2974-8) - Constitutional Origins, Structure, and Change in Federal Countries (ISBN 978-0-7735-2849-9)
Audio-Visual & Multimedia: - YouTube educational series - Forum Fedcast podcast - Videos such as: - What is Fiscal Federalism?(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CH8qlDn0BY) - Learning About Federalism Series(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MbaKCXqytA) - Forum of Federations 20th Anniversary(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvUl_fiijI0)
Educational Events and Conferences
- Annual ~40 training/workshop events globally.
- Major International Conferences:
- Canada (1999)
- Switzerland (2002)
- Belgium (2005)
- India (2007)
- Ethiopia (2010)
- Attended by heads of state, ministers, judges, senior officials, academics, and civil society leaders.
History
- Originated from the First International Conference on Federalism (Sept 1999, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec).
- Established as a permanent body in 2000.
- Expanded scope to include post-conflict governance and decentralization.
- By 2017, ten governments signed agreements as partners.
- 20th Anniversary: Hosted “International Dialogue on the Future of Federalism” series.
Membership (as of 2023)
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Ethiopia
- Germany
- India
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Switzerland
Officials (2021)
- Chair: Georg Milbradt (Germany)
- Vice Chair: Salma Siddiqui (Canada)
- Board Members: Hans Altherr (Switzerland), Christian Paradis (Canada), Birtukan Ayondadi (Ethiopia), Beatrice Keleher Raffoul (Canada), Julius Ihonvbere (Nigeria), Miguel Griesbach de Pereira Franco (Brazil), Saleem Mandviwalla (Pakistan), Roger Wilkins (Australia)
- President & CEO: Rupak Chattopadhyay (India)
- Fellows: David Cameron (Canada), Vijay Kelkar (India), Arnold Koller (Switzerland), Thomas Pfisterer (Switzerland), Bob Rae (Canada), Mian Raza Rabbani (Pakistan), Ana Carolina Lorena (Brazil), Mendoza Ruiz (Mexico)
External Links
- Official Website(https://forumfed.org)
- Annual Report(https://forumfed.org/publications/annual-reports/)
- YouTube Channel(https://www.youtube.com/user/ForumofFederations)