One of the primary reasons we see a breakdown in trust, solidarity, and legitimacy is the power structures enshrined in today's systems are not reflective of the geopolitics today nor those we desire for the future.

Policy decisions are better when those most affected have an active role in making them.

This is not just about states but also non-state groups—NGOs, activists, and civil society members—all advocating for a more significant say in the decisions that affect them.

The systems that exist perpetuate systemic inequalities and power imbalances, and they are not easy to change.

Project Starling begins with a practice change, focusing on how to coordinate different groups (diplomats, activists, NGOs, CSOs, and think tanks) in a policy ecosystem and create the mood music to shift politics and deliver the policy analysis to inform decision-makers. We believe that practice change will ultimately result in positive policy change; we must act first.

We have examples of this. Some of the most successful international negotiations in the last decade have resulted from a change in the relationships that underpin the process (High Ambition Coalition and SDGs) and resulting policy stronger. We envision that as we apply our approach to more challenges and demonstrate its efficacy, it will become a common practice.

Project Starling is staffed by systems innovators. We have worked within governments, nonprofits, the UN, and Member State Missions, people who found a way to change who was around the table when decisions were made. We have the connections to bring the right people into the room at the right time.

The trends driving global change: technological transformation, climate change, and access to finance have the potential to further centralize and entrench power in the hands of a few. Technological change has been shown to accrue benefits to those who have the access and capacity to harness it. Climate change and environmental degradation is more easily buffered by those who have the resources to adapt and recover. And inequitable access finance traps the poorest, most vulnerable countries are in a cycle of poverty.

We focus on these areas where the system has structural inequities, and where, without action, global change and geopolitical trends will make the situation worse in 10-20 years.

The UN ,as the only universal body, offers one of the easiest places for this practice change. Small and medium states, LDC and SIDS, have equal voice. We see the Summit of the Future as an important opportunity to begin to seed the shift in power our global governance system needs.
As Project Starling grows, we will bring our networks and approach to additional global moments.