What we offer you

The Centre for Public Governance at GUBERNA has developed extensive expertise in public governance. As a result, we have become known as a frame of reference and as a high-quality partner for topics related to public governance. For example, we regularly evaluate the board of directors of public organisations, provide tailor-made trainings as well as complete projects in response to specific requests. 

Evaluation of the board Tailor-made trainings Specific requests

Our objectives for 2022

Our partner

  • Deloitte
Ewout Görtz

Questions? Contact us!

Do you have suggestions, projects or questions about governance in your public organisation? We would like to help you further. 

Ewout Görtz

ewout.gortz@guberna.be

Important subjects

The subjects are varied and built on the classic governance tripod, the exchange between the board of directors, shareholders and management. The most important challenges are: 

The role of the board of directors in public organisations  (model charter for the board of directors in public organisations (2017))

A practical tool about the independent directors in public organisations (2019): 

The composition and functioning of the board of directors, taking the specifics of the political context into account (research concerning the governance practices of the Flemish, Walloon and Brussels organisations that are active in the public sector) (2015-2016): 

The strategy of the government as a shareholder and their relationship to the board of directors, management and other stakeholders (research reports about the role of the Belgian State as a shareholder and this in comparison to the OESO-recommendations and the best practices in other countries), and drafting a memorandum to the political parties about the State as shareholder. (Official publication on March 20th 2014) 

Publications for Public Governance organisations

Cyber-Risk Oversight

The ISA’s cyber-risk handbooks are an attempt to provide Board members with a simple and coherent framework to understand cyber risk, as well as a series of straight-forward questions for Boards to ask management to assure that their organisation is properly addressing its unique cyber-risk posture.

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Urgenda: how urgently should climate change be put on the agenda of the board?

On our first digital member forum onthe 21st of April we will reflect upon the impact of the Urgenda legal case on the accountability of companies. But what/who is Urgenda? Why is a court ruling on climate change against the Dutch government significant for Belgian companies? Which lessons can a board of directors take away from this case? And what will be the impact of the current COVID-19 crisis on the climate debate?

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"Male, pale & stale” is dead, long live diversity!

The 'glass ceiling' is familiar to us all, as are the quota laws, because they are supposed to bring solace. For GUBERNA, however, this is not the focus. We are indeed a great advocate of more women in managerial positions and especially on boards of directors. It is not for nothing that we have been addressing this topic in our operations for a long time. The successful mentoring programme is one example of this. But gender is only one piece of the puzzle. 'Diversity' is the greater goal for GUBERNA.

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Intercommunities and the Local Government Decree: a step in the right direction

Vorig jaar deze tijd bevonden de intercommunales zich in het oog van de storm. Zeer grote raden van bestuur, een ondoorzichtige kluwen aan participaties en enkele schandalen rond vergoeding zorgden voor een hevig debat. Biedt het nieuwe Decreet Lokaal Bestuur een antwoord op dit debat? Dat zal de toekomst moeten uitwijzen, maar het staat vast dat het Decreet de intercommunales uitdaagt op vlak van ‘goed bestuur’. GUBERNA licht er enkele uitdagingen uit.

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