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by Joachim Koops and Dr André Nilsen

Recommendation to the Government and Parliament of Norway

Norway should reconsider its decision to withdraw from the UN’s Standby High Readiness Brigade (SHIRBRIG). This multinational peacekeeping brigade, unique in the UN’s history, is a very effective tool for military operation planning and longterm capacity building, especially in Africa.

Full text:     PDF (Norwegian)

 

Oxford think tank calls on Ireland to step out of EU into EFTA

(Oxford, 13 June 2008) Recognizing the Lisbon Treaty’s fundamental importance to the unity, legitimacy, and effectiveness of the European Union and its overwhelming democratic support through ratification by 18 Member States, the national leaders meeting in the European Council in Bruxelles on 19-20 June 2008 must now act calmly, responsibly, and confidently to ensure its scheduled coming into effect on 1 January 2009 by letting the remaining 8 Member States complete ratification while facilitating Ireland immediately but temporarily stepping out of the EU into the EFTA, says a think tank based in Oxford.

Press Release (Word)

OCGG Government Recommendation No 5 (PDF)

 

Oxford think tank welcomes US Supreme Court ruling on Guantánamo Bay

(Oxford, 12 June 2008) Recognizing the fundamental values of human civilization, the core obligations in international law and the US Constitution, and the essential interests of the United States, the US President and the US Congress should now fully comply with and completely refrain from attempts at circumventing the US Supreme Court’s restoration of habeas corpus in Boumediene v. Bush, while globally and permanently upholding the highest human, legal, civil, and political rights, including renouncing torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, and immediately closing Guantánamo Bay and all other parts of its global detention network, says a think tank based in Oxford.

Press Release (Word)

OCGG Law Recommendation No 3 (PDF)

 

Oxford think tank urges UK House of Lords, UK Courts, and European Courts to strike down 42 Days Detention

(Oxford, 11 June 2008) Recognizing the UK government’s erosion of habeas corpus by the extension of no-charge, no-trial detention limits to 42 days, the UK House of Lords, the UK Courts, the European Court of Justice, and the European Court of Human Rights should immediately strike down the new terror bill, says a think tank based in Oxford.

Press Release (Word)

 

by Joachim Koops

Recommendation to the European Union and the United Nations

The European Union has since the adoption of the European Security Strategy in December 2003 been promoting its new foreign policy philosophy of Effective Multilateralism: a rule-based international order with the United Nations at its core.

The EU has stressed the creation of its Battlegroups advances this goal. However, without a comprehensive coordination and cooperation effort with the UN’s already existing rapid reaction brigade SHIRBRIG, the EU’s development of autonomous Battlegroups may actually undermine the UN’s capacity and authority in crisis management rather than strengthen it.

Full text:     PDF

 

by Joseph Mitchell

Recommendation to the UK Parliament, the UK Courts, and the European Union

Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have not only violated international law and breached human rights abroad. They have also struck at the foundations of rule of law and democracy at home. A host of authoritarian laws introduced by New Labour critically endanger civil liberties and checks and balances in the UK.

Full text:     PDF

 

by Alex Cobham

Recommendation to policymakers and donors, researchers and civil society, as presented during the World Social Forum 2007 in Nairobi

The tax consensus has failed. Revenue losses exceed aid flows, and poorer countries - especially in sub-Saharan Africa - have seen redistribution prevented and political representation weakened. The tax consensus must be consigned to history, and international steps taken to begin undoing the damage done. Advocacy is vital.

Full text:     PDF

 

by Aurélien Vallier and Magdalena Ji-in Seol

The adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 1718 on 14 October 2006 constitutes a watershed for the global WMD non-proliferation regime. Less than a week after North Korea became the world’s 9th nuclear power by conducting an underground nuclear test, the Security Council imposed sanctions against the world’s possibly greatest nuclear threat and certainly most challenging regime. [...]

Full text:     PDF

UNSC Resolution 1718 (PDF)

 

by Alex Cobham

This Analysis was prepared as an Issues Note for the International Policy Workshop: How can Financial Crises be Prevented? held at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, October 2006. The IMF is facing renewed calls for reform, and its role in the prevention of national and international financial crises is the subject of considerable debate. This Analysis sets out the basis for the main criticisms of the Fund, and explores the necessary changes for it to take a more constructive role in crisis prevention.

Full text: PDF

 

by Alex Cobham

Recommendation to the Colleges of the University of Oxford and other institutional investors

New evidence on the returns to socially responsible investment (SRI) make clear that there is no longer a financial penalty - indeed, from the mid-1990s onwards, there is growing evidence of a positive effect on the risk-adjusted returns of portfolios that are constrained by SRI. That is, investors who decide against ethical investment are likely to suffer financially.

Adoption of SRI policies, coupled with transparency and effective oversight are the simple mechanisms by which the Colleges - and other institutions that value their reputations and their financial performance - can achieve this.

Full text:     PDF

 

by André Nilsen

The Rosneft IPO has focused attention on the state’s involvement in the economy in Russia. Contrary to criticism, Putin is embracing the capitalism model that is best suited to the country and most likely to sustain comparative advantages. He should now embed it in rule of law to make sure it stays.

Full text:     PDF

 

(Oxford, 7 July 2006) It is a great honour for the Oxford Council on Good Governance to welcome Kim Dae-jung to the Board of Advisors of the OCGG. Kim Dae-jung is a Nobel Peace Laureate and former President of South Korea. He joins other world leaders, distinguished personalities, and eminent scholars in supporting the OCGG. The Council works for a better world by turning cutting edge research at the world's leading universities into actionable advice for high-level policy-makers.

 

(Oxford, 2 June 2006) It is a great honour for the Oxford Council on Good Governance to welcome Mr Jean-Marie Guéhenno to the Group of Advisors of the OCGG Security Section. Mr Guéhenno is the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations. He joins other world leaders, distinguished personalities, and eminent scholars on our Board and Groups of Advisors in supporting the OCGG. The Council works for a better world by turning cutting edge research at the world's leading universities into actionable advice for high-level policy-makers.

 

(Oxford, 22 May 2006) It is a great honour for the Oxford Council on Good Governance to welcome Dr Manfred Nowak to the Group of Advisors of the OCGG Law Section. Dr Nowak is the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment. He joins other world leaders, distinguished personalities, and eminent scholars on our Board and Groups of Advisors in supporting the OCGG. The Council works for a better world by turning cutting edge research at the world's leading universities into actionable advice for high-level policy-makers.

 

The Financial Times, Letter to the Editor, Tuesday 18 April 2006

From Mr Alex Cobham, Mr John Christensen and Mr David Spencer.

Sir, Kevin Phillips (Letters, April 13) writes that concerns about foreign takeovers eroding the UK tax base may be addressed by following the example of Ireland and cutting corporate tax rates to increase revenues. This reflects a dangerous misunderstanding.

The Laffer curve that suggested lower tax rates increase overall revenues has been firmly debunked by empirical research. The case of Ireland is - as Mr Phillips acknowledges - the result not of economic activity being relocated but simply the declaration of profits. The short-term effect is of course higher revenues on a given gross domestic product, producing an apparently higher tax yield.

But this illustrates precisely the dangers of tax competition. The Irish tax cuts have simply shifted profit declaration at the expense of other jurisdictions and with little overall economic impact (beyond an unsustainable housing bubble). This is a foolish game that can only be played for a finite time. The response Mr Phillips suggests, that the UK follow suit, will of course be just one more step in a race to the bottom that leaves the entire tax burden on labour. In common with Lex ("Corporate tax", April 12) we view this as likely to undermine rather than enhance economic performance.

We support a system that allocates corporate tax liabilities to the jurisdictions where economic activity occurs, rather than where profits can be shifted to, and thus leaves each jurisdiction with the freedom to tax at the rates they deem most conducive to economic activity and broader social goals.

This would allow genuine competition between competing locations, with the potential for more efficient production instead of simply lower corporate burdens that undermine government provision and fail to give businesses appropriate incentives.

Alex Cobham, St Anne's, Oxford/OCGG

John Christensen, Director, Tax Justice Network

David Spencer, Private Tax Attorney, New York, US

 

Oxford think tank supports Barroso initiative on immigration

(Oxford, 7 March 2006) Recognizing the European Union’s goal of creating more and better jobs through research and innovation, the EU should offer permanent resident status and citizenship to students from all over the world who complete a PhD in one of the Member States, says a think tank based in Oxford.

Press Release (Word)

 

by Alex Cobham

Recommendation to the European Commission

The European tax commissioner, László Kovács, has reiterated two plans for EU taxation: first, that the EU budget should be funded from taxation in each member state, and second, that concrete steps be taken for harmonisation of the corporate tax base across the EU. Both are sure to cause consternation in some member states.

There are in fact strong reasons to support each; but considerable caution is required. The Commission needs to clarify the grounds for each, in order not only to make the case publicly but because this process will lead to recognition of important flaws that should be corrected before further political capital is committed. [...]

Full text:     PDF

 

by Alex Cobham

Recommendation to the UK Department for International Development

The UK development minister, Hilary Benn has called for rich countries to fund health, education and social security systems in Africa. But aid budgets are limited, and stable finance is critical here. The benefits of this laudable suggestion can only be achieved by rich countries and donors taking measures to address the estimated $385 billion of developing countries' tax revenues lost to avoidance and evasion each year - many times the global aid budget. [...]

Full text:     PDF

 

by Simon Dalferth

Advice to the Governments of the Member States of the European Union

The EU should refocus its immigration policy. Rather than securitizing immigration, the EU should be an open and welcoming destination for immigrants.

Importing workers can sustain growth in ageing societies and is better than exporting jobs. Embracing people from all countries and faiths will also enhance Europe's standing in the world which ultimately will enhance its security and increase its influence.

At the same time it is vital that those who cannot be admitted are adequately protected and that those who are admitted are properly integrated.

Full text:     PDF

 

Oxford think tank stresses importance of fiscal policy for sustainable development

(Oxford, 15 October 2005) The role of fiscal policy in development is critical and has been neglected by major players, according to a set of studies published today by a think tank based in Oxford.

The studies are available at the Development and Fiscal Policy project site.

Press Release (Word)

 

(Oxford, 7 October 2005) The OCGG wholeheartedly congratulates Dr Mohamed ElBaradei and the International Atomic Energy Agency who this morning were awarded the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for their work against the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Dr ElBaradei is a Member of the Group of Advisors to the OCGG Science Section. Other Nobel Peace Laureates on the OCGG Board of Advisors are Joseph Rotblat, José Ramos-Horta, and Jody Williams.

 

Oxford Think Tank Outlines Reform Priorities for Lasting Peace

(Oxford, 15 August 2005) Recognizing the immense human costs of the conflict and the consistent fragility of the peace process between Israel and Palestine, it is vital that rapid progress now is made on critical reforms to transform the Israeli disengagement from Gaza into all parties' reengagement with the roadmap for peace, says a think tank based at the University of Oxford.

"Ariel Sharon cannot dig in his heels after having pulled out of Gaza but will have to also deal with settlement building in the West Bank, the construction of the Wall, and urban planning policy in and around Jerusalem," says Simon Roughneen, a senior Middle East analyst at the Oxford Council on Good Governance. "At the same time it is equally clear that Mahmoud Abbas must get the Fatah house in order, in particular restructuring and modernizing the security forces to curb the Hamas threat to Israeli citizens," he adds.

"Both the Israelis and the Palestinians still have a long way to go to achieve lasting peace and it is important that they at the current critical juncture receive full support from the EU and the US,” says Roughneen, who has edited a new special issue of the Oxford Journal on Good Governance on the impact of the Israeli disengagement on the Middle East Peace Process, which features contributions from Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Michael Ancram, Naomi Chazan, Yossi Mekelberg, and other leading experts from around the world.

Oxford Journal on Good Governance (PDF)

 

by André Nilsen

Recommendation to the Principals of the European Union

Despite the unsuccessful referendums in France on Sunday 29 May and The Netherlands on Wednesday 1 June, the European Constitution is still alive.

The leaders of the institutions and governments of the European Union have a moral, political, and legal duty to ensure that the ratification process continues in the remaining Member States.

Everything should be done to secure victory in the outstanding referenda. If necessary, the possible accession of Turkey, the Lisbon agenda, and other controversial issues should be scrapped from the political agenda of the European Union.

Germany and Spain have a particularly heavy responsibility to take leadership and keep the momentum up.

Full text:     PDF

 

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Joachim Koops, OCGG Analyst, and Dr André Nilsen, Chairman and Managing Director of the OCGG, urge Norway to refrain from undermining the UN's unique peacekeeping force SHIRBRIG in OCGG Security Recommendation No 7 (available in only Norwegian).

André Nilsen, Chairman and Managing Director of the OCGG, urges Ireland to step out of the EU into the EFTA so the other Member States can enact the Lisbon Treaty in OCGG Government Recommendation No 5.

André Nilsen, Chairman and Managing Director of the OCGG, calls on the US to uphold habeas corpus and respect the US Constitution and international law in OCGG Law Recommendation No 3.

Joachim Koops, OCGG Analyst, calls for coordination between the EU Battlegroups and the UN Multinational Standby High Readiness Brigade (SHIRBRIG) in OCGG Security Recommendation No 6.

Joseph Mitchell, OCGG Researcher, criticizes UK laws curbing civil liberties and concentrating power in the government in OCGG Law Recommendation No 2.

Alex Cobham, Director of the OCGG Economy section, explains how the tax consensus has failed the world's poorer countries in terms of revenue generation, redistribution and - crucially - channels of political representation, in OCGG Economy Recommendation 8.

Aurélien Vallier, OCGG Governance Area Manager, and Magdalena Ji-in Seol, OCGG Advice Program Manager, comment upon the UN response to the North Korean nuclear test in OCGG Security Briefing No 7.

Alex Cobham, Director of the OCGG Economy Section, explores the possibilities for reform of the IMF and a stronger role in crisis prevention in OCGG Economy Analysis No 9.

Alex Cobham, Director of the OCGG Economy Section, sets out the latest evidence on the returns to ethical investment, and calls on Oxford colleges and other resisting institutions to accept that the case is now made, in OCGG Economy Recommendation No 7.

André Nilsen, Chairman and Managing Director of the OCGG, comments on Russian economic reform in light of the Rosneft IPO in OCGG Economy Briefing No 2.

Alex Cobham, Director of the OCGG Economy Section, explains how the EU's proposals for an EU-wide tax and for corporate tax harmonization should be strengthened in OCGG Economy Recommendation No 6.

Alex Cobham, Director of the OCGG Economy Section, calls for the UK to reverse the neglect of taxation systems in development policy, and recover some of the estimated $385 billion annually of poor countries' lost revenues in OCGG Economy Recommendation No 5.

Simon Dalferth, Manager of the Advice Program EU Justice Policy, argues that the EU should refocus immigration policy from security to more immigration, higher protection, and better integration in OCGG Law Advice No 2.

Morag Torrance, OCGG Analyst, and Emma Lochery, OCGG Researcher, compare the rhetoric and reality of IMF and World Bank fiscal policy in OCGG Economy Analysis No 8.

Sylvia Bergh, OCGG Analyst, explains the disappointing experience of Moroccan government expenditures in OCGG Economy Analysis No 7.

Nicholas Cheeseman, OCGG Analyst, and Rob Griffiths, OCGG Researcher, document the experience of Kenyan tax reforms in OCGG Economy Analysis No 6.

Christopher Crowe, economist, explains how inequality exacerbates the inflation tax in OCGG Economy Analysis No 5.

Armando Roman-Zozaya, OCGG Analyst, discusses the emergent paradigm of Latin American social policy in OCGG Economy Analysis No 4.

Armando Roman-Zozaya, OCGG Analyst, argues for the capitalism-capable society in OCGG Economy Analysis No 3.

Alex Cobham, Director of the OCGG Economy Section, outlines the structures of taxation in developing countries in OCGG Economy Analysis No 2.

The third issue of the Oxford Journal on Good Governance, Building Walls or Mending Fences? The Middle East Peace Process Beyond Israeli Disengagement, features contributions from Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Michael Ancram, Naomi Chazan, Yossi Mekelberg, and other leading experts from around the world.

André Nilsen, Chairman and Managing Director of the OCGG, defends the European Constitution in OCGG Government Recommendation No 3.

On July 7, 2006, Kim Dae-jung, Nobel Peace Laureate and former President of South Korea, joined the Board of Advisors of the OCGG.

On June 2, 2006, Jean-Marie Guéhenno, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, joined the Group of Advisors of the OCGG Security Section.

On May 22, 2006, Manfred Nowak, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, joined the Group of Advisors of the OCGG Law Section.

Alex Cobham, Director of the OCGG Economy Section, and others argue that the allocation of international tax liabilities based on where profits are declared, as opposed to where economic activity actually takes place, will only lead to harmful tax competition (letter to the editor in the Financial Times, April 18, 2006).

Alex Cobham, Director of the OCGG Economy Section, and others call for a joined-up UK approach to tax avoidance that builds on the piecemeal steps in the Pre-Budget Report (letter to the editor in the Financial Times, December 8, 2005).

Alex Cobham, Director of the OCGG Economy Section, and others stress the responsibility of rich country governments and businesses for the tax avoidance that drains revenues from poorer countries (letter to the editor in the Guardian, November 15, 2005).

André Nilsen, Chairman and Managing Director of the OCGG and Øyvind Engen, geoscientist, advise Norway to abandon the current American-oriented unilateral approach in favour of an EU-embedded multilateral partnership to secure its rights to new oil and gas resources in the Northern Areas while maintaining a good relationship to Russia (op-ed in Aftenposten, November 3, 2005).

On February 25, 2005, Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, former European Commissioner for Research, and former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Belgium, joined the Board of Advisors of the OCGG.

On February 23, 2005, Crispin Tickell, one of the world’s leading experts on climate and environmental policy and the role of science in public policy and international affairs, joined the Group of Advisors of the OCGG Science Section.

On January 19, 2005, Donald J. Johnston, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), joined the Group of Advisors of the OCGG Economy Section.

On January 7, 2005, Stanley Hoffmann, Paul and Catherine Buttenwieser University Professor at Harvard University, joined the Group of Advisors of the OCGG Government Section.

Andre Nilsen, Chairman and Managing Director of the OCGG, analyzes corporate governance and takeovers in the EU (article in the European Business Law Review, Vol 15, No 6, December, 2004).

On December 1, 2004, Hans Blix, former Executive Chairman of the Monitoring, Verification, and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) that conducted weapons inspections in Iraq and currently Chairman of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission, joined the Group of Advisors of the OCGG Law Section.

On November 18, 2004, Joseph Rotblat, Nobel Peace Laureate for his leadership of the Pugwash Conferences working for nuclear disarmament, joined the Board of Advisors of the OCGG.

On November 15, 2004, Margot Wallström, new European Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy and the First Vice President of the European Commission and currently European Commissioner for the Environment, joined the Board of Advisors of the OCGG.

On November 11, 2004, Jacques Barrot, new European Commissioner for Transport and Vice President of the European Commission and currently European Commissioner for Regional Policy, joined the Board of Advisors of the OCGG.

Alex Cobham, Director of the OCGG Economy Section, argues that the new Commission for Africa is in danger of ignoring the policies that could bring about real change (op-ed in the Guardian, November 8, 2004).

On October 8, 2004, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, new European Commissioner for External Relations and currently Foreign Minister of Austria, joined the Board of Advisors of the OCGG.

On October 4, 2004, Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, joined the Group of Advisors of the OCGG Science Section.

On September 28, 2004, Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Economics Laureate, former Senior Vice President and Chief Economist of the World Bank, and former Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors of the United States of America, joined the Board of Advisors of the OCGG.

On September 20, 2004, László Kovács, new European Commissioner for Energy and currently Foreign Minister of Hungary, joined the Board of Advisors of the OCGG.

On September 1, 2004, Elmar Brok, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the European Parliament, joined the Board of Advisors of the OCGG.

On August 27, 2004, Andrew Moravcsik, Professor of Politics at Princeton University, joined the Group of Advisors of the OCGG Government Section.

On August 25, 2004, Joaquín Almunia, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, joined the Board of Advisors of the OCGG.

On August 20, 2004, Jody Williams, Member of the Board of Advisors of the OCGG, was named as one of the the world's 100 most powerful women by Forbes.

On August 7, 2004, Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Laureate for her leadership of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, joined the Board of Advisors of the OCGG.

On August 1, 2004, Giuliano Amato, twice Prime Minister of Italy and Vice President of the Convention on the Future of Europe, joined the Board of Advisors of the OCGG.

On July 12, 2004, José Ramos-Horta, Nobel Peace Laureate and Foreign Minister of East Timor, joined the Board of Advisors of the OCGG.

On April 12, 2004, Joseph Nye, Dean of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and former US Assistant Secretary of Defence, joined the Board of Advisors of the OCGG.

The OCGG was featured in a recent article in the Oxford Student, a student newspaper at the University of Oxford.