The MGG Network helps create a joint identity. It facilitates joint action to make change possible
“As part of the MGG Network, I had the chance to shape and promote the topic of sustainability standards, strengthening awareness and fostering academic exchange as well as policy advice on this topic – in particular, highlighting the developing country perspectives in this issue area.”
Archna Negi, India, Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, MGG course 2, 2007
Archna's change story:
As a result of my participation in the MGG Academy, I got involved in the working strand on sustainability standards in 2015. After a project spanning several years and connecting across several continents, I published as co-editor, the book Sustainability Standards and Global Governance: Experiences of Emerging Economies, together with MGG alumnus Jorge Antonio Perez Pineda and former IDOS researcher Johannes Blankenbach, in 2020. The publication project was fascinating as it connected my professional background with many MGG fellows and other researchers from IDOS. Through this process, we strengthened awareness on this topic and fostered academic exchange as well as policy advice among a wide range of actors and international organizations.
This publication project influenced many processes beyond the MGG Network along the way, such as feeding into the T20 process and engaging in discussions with the BMZ as well as being present at the preparation and launch of national platforms for sustainability standards in Brazil, China and Mexico. I am currently a part of the Academic Advisory Council of the United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards (UNFSS) and have contributed to the 3rd and 5th flagship reports published by the UNFSS in 2018 and 2022 respectively.
What makes the MGG Network successful in enabling change?
🌎 Providing exposure to a diversity of participants and perspectives on global governance
🤝 Fostering connections with individuals with a similar specialization or focus of work
✨ Matching individual research domains with complementary institutional networks
🌱 Ensuring a favourable environment to take forth new ideas for change
Why is your change story inspiring?
The MGG Network helps create a joint identity. It facilitates joint action to make change possible. I found, through the MGG network, the opportunity to explore the exciting realm of science-policy interface through a focus on the topic of sustainability standards and global governance. MGG brought me to the right place at the right moment and my relationship with the Network has sustained for 15 years and counting!
Find more MGG Change Stories here!