Power and Accountability

Background and rationale 

As an independent Global Health think tank within the UN system with a mandate to reflect the perspectives and needs of states and populations in the Global South, UNU Global Health has a unique responsibility to catalyse equitable shifts in power and correct key accountability deficits in the global health system.  

A key point of departure of this Work Package is the description and analysis of power asymmetries and dynamics that shape the global health system. This includes taking a holistic approach that captures different forms of power - political authority vested in governments, the power of financial, economic and material resources, and the power embedded in expertise, knowledge and information - and the overt, covert and hidden uses of power within the global health system.  

A second departure point is the concept of good governance and seeing it as an important requirement for improving global health outcomes. This includes defining good governance in terms of having responsive and accountable and having public-interest institutions and laws that work to prevent power from being overconcentrated or being abused. 

Aim 

The overarching aim of this Work Package is to catalyse equitable shifts in power and address key accountability deficits that prevent the equitable and effective functioning of the global health system and prevent adequate responsiveness to the needs of states and populations in the Global South.  

To achieve this aim, the WP will conduct four broad sets of activities

• Research and Analysis: conduct both primary and secondary research  

• Convene and broker: bridge the gaps between evidence and policy, and policy and implementation  

• Build capacity: provide training, education and support to build expertise and capabilities in the Global South.  

• Develop partnerships: build a trusted reputation and a network of collaboration and cooperation with relevant stakeholders from government, civil society and other parts of the UN system

• Change policy: generate practical proposals and instruments for policy change