Thinking Big: Nina Reiners on Transnational Advocacy
Amid shifts in the global order – including closing civic space, weakened multilateral institutions, and the rise of authoritarianism - who advocates for the rights of migrants, women, and vulnerable communities? How does the global reordering affect NGOs, transnational advocacy networks, and grassroots movements, and our knowledge about their influence and networked power? Could wealthy private actors like big law firms be stepping into the role of transnational advocates? The PROBONO research project explores under which conditions private firms are valuable partners for domestic civil society and international institutions in promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Thinking big: might private advocacy be the future of global politics and law — and should we welcome, regulate, or contest its influence?
Discussants
- Elsa Hedling, Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology, Lund University
- Haakon Ikonomou, Saxo Institute, University of Copenhagen
- Michel Anderlini, Department of Political Science, Malmö University
- Marja-Liisa Öberg, Faculty of Law, Lund University
About
Nina Reiners is Professor of Human Rights and Social Sciences at the University of Oslo. She is affiliated with the Graduate Institute Geneva and the Norwegian Nobel Institute. With a background in International Relations and International Law, her current research project explores the role of big law firms’ pro bono work in world politics and is funded by the European Research Council (2025-2029).