Global Online Governance Institute:

Strengthening Board Leadership for Civil Society & Social Justice Organizations

About the Program

Civil society organizations today are operating in an increasingly complex and dire global environment. Many are navigating what is widely described as a polycrisis—a convergence of political, economic, social, and environmental crises that create profound uncertainty for institutions and movements alike.

Across regions, civil society is confronting:

Criminalisation and restriction of civil society organisations through legal and regulatory measures
The growing consolidation of authoritarian governance and shrinking civic space
Increasing violence, harassment, and intimidation of human rights defenders
Massive defunding and shifting donor landscapes that challenge financial sustainability and former methods of resource mobilization
Rapid organisational change and increasing operational complexity in response to global crises
Armed conflict, occupation, political instability, and humanitarian crises that disrupt organisational operations, threaten staff and communities, and place extraordinary pressures on governance and leadership structures
The challenge of maintaining accountable, ethical, and effective governance while making urgent decisions in rapidly changing and high-risk environments

In this context, strong, thoughtful board governance matters more than ever. Boards are being asked to provide strategic guidance, protect organisational integrity, assess and manage risk, steward inventive resource mobilisation responsibly, and support organisational continuity and staff wellbeing—often under conditions of uncertainty, insecurity, and pressure. In conflict and crisis settings, boards may also need to navigate difficult questions related to duty of care, security, emergency decision-making, operational disruption, leadership transitions, safeguarding, digital security, and maintaining accountability when normal governance processes are strained.

At the same time, many board members in civil society and movement-based organizations step into governance roles not understanding the role of a board member as contrasted to the role of an activist or Executive Director. Often they take up board roles without structured opportunities to develop governance knowledge and skills that reflect the realities of the sector, including the specific governance demands that emerge in contexts of conflict, repression, displacement, and crisis response.

The Global Online Governance Program, offered by the Asfari Institute for Civil Society & Citizenship at the American University of Beirut, in collaboration with AUB Mediterraneo, Doria Feminist Fund, and Bureau Kensington Consulting, responds to this need.

Grounded in the Asfari Institute’s mission to strengthen civil society, deepen civic engagement, and promote inclusive governance, the program equips emerging governance leaders with the tools and perspectives needed to help organizations navigate uncertainty, crisis, and complexity while remaining accountable to their missions and communities.

Who Should Participate

This program is designed for individuals who are new to governance roles or in the early stages of board leadership, including:

New or emerging board members
Individuals preparing to join boards
Executive leaders and senior staff who work closely with boards
Governance or operations staff supporting boards
Practitioners in civil society, feminist movements, human rights, development, climate, humanitarian, peacebuilding, and social justice organizations

The program welcomes participants from all regions of the world.

Participants must be conversant in English, as the program is conducted entirely in English.

Program Structure

The course is practical, interactive, and directly connected to the real governance challenges civil society organizations face today, including governance in contexts of conflict, crisis, and political instability.

Format: Online learning
Schedule: 2-hour group session per week for 8 weeks
Dates: February – March 2027
Participants: A global cohort of governance practitioners

Each session combines expert facilitation, case studies, interactive discussion, and peer learning, allowing participants to explore governance challenges in diverse organizational and political contexts, including organizations operating in conflict-affected and high-risk environments.

Program Curriculum

The program provides a practical introduction to governance in civil society organizations as dictated by letters of incorporation (by country), covering the core knowledge and skills needed for effective board leadership and applying learning to participants’ own board contexts.

Key topics include:

Governance roles and board fiduciary responsibilities
Board leadership models and board structures
Oversight of strategic planning and organizational direction
Political context analysis and its relevance for boards and the organization
Governance approaches in feminist and social justice organizations
Fiduciary accountability and financial oversight
Roles of Executive Committees and board committees
Governance decision-making in complex scenarios
Governance and leadership during conflict, crisis, and organizational emergencies
Duty of care, safeguarding, and risk governance in insecure environments
Role clarity between the Board and Executive Director
Building effective Board Chair–Executive Director relationships
Risk assessment, management, and governance accountability
Board dynamics and effective governance practices
Managing governance dilemmas and conflicts
Navigating governance challenges related to security, organisational continuity, and rapid decision-making under pressure

Continued Learning and Support

Learning continues beyond 8 weeks of core sessions. Participants receive six months of continued support, including:

Access to monthly ongoing coaching and/or mentoring on real governance challenges
Membership in an online global community of practice
Ongoing opportunities for peer learning and knowledge exchange
Periodic receipt of governance articles and other related content

This extended engagement helps participants translate learning into stronger governance practice within their organizations, including in contexts of crisis, transition, and uncertainty.

Convenors and Lead Faculty:

Lina Abou-Habib, Director, Asfari Institute for Civil Society & Citizenship, American University in Beirut
Zeina Abdel Khalik, Executive Director, Doria Feminist Fund
Anna Turley & Barbara Williams, Bureau Kensington Consulting

Guest Faculty:

Ruth Baldacchino, Social and Gender Justice Expert Consultant
Lydia Alpizar Duran, Co-Executive Director, The Mesoamerican Initiative of Women Human Rights Defenders (IM-Defensoras)
Geetanjali Misra, Executive Director, CREA World
Amany AlHadka, Al Nawa Inc.

Certification

Participants who successfully complete the program will receive a Certificate from the Asfari Institute for Civil Society & Citizenship at the American University of Beirut, recognizing their participation in this specialized governance learning program.

Program Fees and Deadlines

Program Fee: USD $1,250 per participant (5 spots with reduced/discounted fee)
Early Bird Program Fee: $ 1,000
Early Bird Application Date: November 15, 2026
Deadline for Application: December 30, 2026

The program fee covers participation in and materials for all online sessions, certification, and six months of post-program mentoring and community learning opportunities.

Join a Global Community of Governance Leaders

By participating in the Global Online Governance Program, you will join a growing international network of leaders committed to strengthening governance in support of resilient, accountable, and impactful civil society organizations worldwide, including organizations operating in some of the world’s most challenging and fragile contexts.

For more information, please contact the Asfari Institute for Civil Society & Citizenship: asfariinst@aub.edu.lb.