GovInn - Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation

The Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation (GovInn) had the honour of participating in the 3rd -ER Dialogue on Africa's Agency in a Changing World Order, hosted by IBEI - Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals in Barcelona on 27-28 April 2026.

GovInn Director and NEAR-ER co-coordinator, Chris Nshimbi, spoke on the importance of knowledge co-creation and co-production in a world shaped by shifting dynamics of borders, migration, and trade.

GovInn Researcher, Bokani Motsu, spoke on how a just, decolonial energy transition can be supported through green energy partnerships, climate finance, and Global Gateway-style investments.

GovInn Researcher, Kgomotso Komane spoke on how human security is shaped by power hierarchies, despite the important ways in which women at the grassroots foster and sustain peace.

Our sincerest thanks to for this convening and fostering such an insightful and critical dialogue.

The Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation was pleased to co-host today’s Departmental Seminar with the Department of Political Sciences, with Prof. Lorenzo Piccoli, Florence School of Transitional Governance, European University Institute.

His presentation, “Before borders are negotiated: Narratives, knowledge power, and the diplomacy of migration governance,” offered a compelling rethinking of how migration governance is shaped long before formal policy processes begin. By examining cinematic representations and the global geography of migration research, the talk highlighted how a persistent “North-bound bias” continues to influence both public imaginaries and policy frameworks.

A key thread throughout the seminar was the idea of selective visibility - how certain migration stories (“crisis”, borders, arrival in the Global North) are made hyper-visible, while others (everyday mobility, South–South migration, and migrant agency) remain overlooked. This uneven visibility plays a powerful role in shaping what is seen as a “migration problem,” and whose experiences are rendered legible in governance debates.

The discussion underscored the importance of interrogating whose knowledge counts, whose stories are amplified, and how these dynamics shape global governance outcomes.

We thank Prof. Piccoli and all our esteemed attendees for an engaging and insightful exchange.

Join us this Thursday for a Departmental Seminar titled: ‘Before borders are negotiated: Narratives, knowledge power, and the diplomacy of migration governance’ with Prof. Lorenzo Piccoli, Part-Time Assistant Professor, Florence School of Transitional Governance, European University Institute.

🗓️ Thursday, 23 April 2026
⏰ 10:00-12:00
📍SRC Chambers, University of Pretoria

RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=yFn63dA4o0mCLh07y1v4W6XEaVmnQAhOo-IxQZ59gjFUNko1Q0dIVlpDV1BFRVpXNUs0NTJZRDAySS4u

Join us on the 6th of November for a Book Launch.

RSVP here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/vtdhfbe?mode=preview&source_id=abb448e3-dcba-4ccd-b8f1-bf4843978002&source_type=em&c=

INVITATION: Parliamentary Oversight Dashboard Introductory Workshop

Join us at Future Africa Campus where we will gain insights into the Parliamentary Oversight Dashboard and acquire foundational skills in public participation and advocate for transparent governance.

🗓️Date: 2 October 2024
⏰Time: 08:00-16:00
📍Venue: Future Africa Campus
📩RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekZNCPrVWzhLISN4HfIvQljFrOIrOqPt8P51Ha_NtvAEAmow/viewform

RSVP by 27 September 2024.

The Department of Political Science invites you to a public lecture: Reimagining Knowledge for Africa's Development: Some Thoughts from Professor Toyin Falola's Work

Date: 13 May 2024
Time: 15:00-16:30
Venue: Javett Art Centre and online on ZOOM:
https://zoom.us/j/91513351594?pwd=eWQ

Click link to RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScu8dG0vqcwrZvW_jzR8A9qYY0v6IXc1OhHA1-sfA8F5ZlzxQ/viewform

SA needs a place-based approach to restarting the economy Using local and community contexts may offer a way forward both to restarting the economy and building resilient urban areas, write Bruno Losch and Julian May

Malawi Election Ruling Today roads leading to the high court in Lilongwe are said to be closed as the Constitutional court is expected to deliver a verdict in a case challenging the legitimacy of last year’s election in Malawi. Two opposition parties, the United Transformation Movement Party and the Malawi Congress Part...

Tracy Ledger on Food Security at Governance Innovation Week 2019 » PARI | Public Affairs Research Institute On 25 September, the Centre for Governance Innovation held a workshop on ‘The State of Food Governance in South Africa’ at the Future Africa Campus of the University of Pretoria. This event was part of the biennial Governance Innovation Week organised by the Centre. The objective of this worksho...

Starting #FoodTalks live now on land and food En sändning på Twitter av Marc Wegerif ().