Forum of Federations

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Forum of Federations

Sharing knowledge and experience among federal, devolved and decentralizing countries. We provide practical solutions to problems of multi-level governance.

The Forum Advantage: Hands-on Experience and High-level Expertise

The Forum has a practical, problem-solving approach to achieving results. Since its founding a decade ago, it has supported governments and citizens around the world - through training, the provision of expertise and impartial practical education. Our Core Principle: “Learning From Each Other”

We bring the world’s leading expert

s together with the “practitioners” of government: elected officials, civil servants, political operatives. The Forum’s direct relationship with governments on each continent makes us uniquely placed to promote intergovernmental learning by working in tandem with our partner governments. Very few international organizations can offer that kind of real-life, comparative expertise, and none but the Forum does it with a central focus on multi-level governance.

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07/20/2026

On 7-8 May 2026, the Forum, in collaboration with Publius: The Journal of Federalism, convened an international research workshop exploring the relationship between federalism and artificial intelligence (AI).

Seventeen experts from Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States gathered at Marquette University’s Les Aspin Center for Government in Washington DC for two days of conversations on emerging practice and common trends in federations.

Read key insights from the conversations in this new report by Liam Whittington, Jamie M. Thomas, and Julia Clinch! Find out how asymmetry, coordination, implementation gaps and AI politics are playing a key role in the adoption and deployment of AI in federations.

➡️ Read the full report here:https://www.forumfed.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Governing-AI-in-Federal-Systems-Challenges-and-Opportunities.pdf

With Philip Rocco, Paul Nolette, Rupak Chattopadhyay, Aziz Huq, Sabine Kropp, Luis Claudio Kubota, Sandeep Shastri, Shahal Khoso, Daniel Mallinson, Vishnu Tandon, Lucie Vignola, Yannick Newton, Philipp Trein, Martino Maggetti, and Mario Kölling.

The Forum thanks its funders for supporting this project: Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Ethiopia and Brazil.

07/17/2026

We're pleased to share the launch of a new global book series from Palgrave that explores federations, quasi-federations, and other multilevel systems through a comparative lens.

Bringing together country studies from around the world under a common analytical framework, the series examines how federal systems respond to today's key governance challenges, including climate change, inequality, migration, democratic resilience, and more.

The Forum of Federations is pleased to be represented on the series' editorial board through our President and CEO, Rupak Chattopadhyay.

Learn more about the series and submission opportunities: https://link.springer.com/series/60721

For more information, contact the series editors:

📧 Eduardo Grin – [email protected]

📧 Johanna Schnabel – [email protected]

07/07/2026

Interested in reading the introduction chapter to the Forum of Federations Handbook on Digitalization in Public Administration of Federal Countries in Spanish?

Available now in the June edition (No. 31) of the Manuel Giménez Abad Foundation's electronic publication, Cuadernos.

The original files are available in the comments below.

Download the publication here ⬇️

https://www.forumfed.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/20260622_tp_champagne_gomes_knupling_lecours_es_o.pdf

06/18/2026

Forum of Federations Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Yemen

Today, the Forum of Federations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Local Administration of the Republic of Yemen, marking an important step in strengthening cooperation between the Forum and the Government of Yemen.

The MoU reflects a shared commitment to advancing governance reforms and supporting effective, inclusive, and responsive public institutions.

“We aspire to support the ambitious reform agenda developed by the Ministry and to work together in identifying practical solutions to the many governance challenges Yemen faces,” said Felix Knüpling, Vice President Programs of the Forum of Federations.

The Forum has been supporting governance, dialogue, and stability initiatives in Yemen since 2012 and looks forward to deepening its partnership with Yemeni institutions.

The MoU was signed by H.E. Eng. Badr Basalmah, Minister of Local Administration of the Republic of Yemen, and Mr. Muammar Batawil, Country Representative of the Forum of Federations in Yemen.

06/17/2026

Join us at the 4th Environmental Peacebuilding Association Conference for an important discussion on climate governance, peacebuilding, and local leadership in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

📅 19 June 2026

🕘 09:00 – 10:30

📋 Localizing Climate Governance in Fragile Settings

📍 University of Ottawa, CRX 408

In many contexts affected by conflict, climate adaptation cannot rely solely on central governments. This moderated roundtable will explore how communities are leading climate action, resilience, and environmental governance when state institutions are absent, fragmented, or unable to respond effectively.

🎤 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿

• Rupak Chattopadhyay, President and CEO of the Forum of Federations. Expert in federalism, multilevel governance, and democratic institutional design, with extensive international experience supporting governance reform and conflict-sensitive policy processes in Ethiopia, Mexico, Myanmar, Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tunisia and Yemen.

👥 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀

• Tabea Campbell Pauli – Conflict and peacebuilding specialist focused on the Asia-Pacific region, whose research examines inclusive multi-level governance and local climate resilience in Myanmar, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

• Tasnia Khandaker Prova – Researcher and development practitioner from Bangladesh and PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, whose work explores climate change, security, peacebuilding, and community-led responses in fragile borderland regions.

• Laura Aumeer – Director of the Europe-Asia Department at Conciliation Resources, with extensive experience in peacebuilding, climate-security programming, and supporting local action across the Pacific, Kashmir, and East and Central Africa.

The panel will examine how practitioners, donors, and policymakers can support community-led climate action, strengthen local governance, and promote environmental peacebuilding without re-centralizing power.

06/12/2026

The Senate of Pakistan and the Forum of Federations convened a two-day session in Islamabad to strengthen parliamentary budget oversight ahead of the Federal Budget 2026–27.

Senators, MNAs, and international experts exchanged global best practices in scrutiny, transparency, and fiscal accountability. Stronger Senate budget review today means better decisions, better services, and greater public trust tomorrow.

05/29/2026

My journey began during my school days, where my drive to lead and passion for volunteer work led me to manage the school’s charity fund. At university, I organized initiatives to support underprivileged students, helping many complete their education with the assistance of a dedicated team of volunteers.

Despite societal taboos, I joined the National Current Party after graduating and quickly rose to head the women’s movement within the party. I led various initiatives, activities, and lectures to raise awareness about political parties and their roles in local communities. However, feeling constrained by the party’s limitations, I, along with a group of like-minded individuals, founded the Jordanian Shura Party. This new venture allowed me to connect more deeply with grassroots communities through charitable work, revealing the true impact political parties could have on society.

Recognizing the need for further development in my leadership skills, I participated in numerous courses offered by the National Committee for Women Affairs and the Forum of Federations. These courses equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a successful leader and influencer in my community. The training I received covered essential topics such as decentralization law, quota vote calculation, and the impact of societal violence.

The support from Forum of Federations proved invaluable when I decided to run for the governorate council in an area with few members of my tribe or family. Despite this, my partisan and social activism helped me build a strong local support base. My success in the election would not have been possible without the education and training provided by Forum of Federations.

Once in the governorate council, my colleagues and I sought to change the status quo. We prepared a code of conduct and engaged in several sessions with the House of Representatives to amend the governorate council law. Our efforts led to the law’s amendment in the second round, granting us more powers in follow-up, implementation, developing the needs guide, and budget approval.

The Forum of Federations continued to support me by helping me understand the true role of political parties and my rights and powers as a party member. Armed with this knowledge, I met with the Secretary General of the Party, the Central Committee, and committee heads to convey the challenges faced by the governorate council. I also leveraged the party’s meetings with the Ministry of Political Development and the Independent Electoral Commission to communicate our concerns effectively.

My story illustrates how targeted training and support can empower individuals to drive meaningful change, enhance leadership, and foster active participation in political and social spheres.

05/15/2026

In the AI era, what are federations like India doing to reduce their vulnerability to strategic supply chain shocks and enhance their economic and national security?

Find out in this new Forum blog by Rajat Dhingra!

🔗 https://forumfedblog.org/india-semicondutor-strategy/

05/13/2026

The Empowering Youth in Political and Economic Participation project was officially launched in Amman, bringing together over 50 young leaders from across Jordan, alongside government, civil society, and media representatives.

Implemented by the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs and the Forum of Federations, the initiative aims to strengthen youth engagement in political life and enhance their role in shaping Jordan’s future.

Through interactive sessions and upcoming activities across the country, the project will support young people in becoming active contributors to decision-making, community development, and democratic participation.

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