Since 1997, River Path Associates has tackled complex global challenges, working with international organisations, governments, civil society, the private sector, think tanks, and universities.
In 2025, we’re taking a break, so here are some highlights from the past 27 years…
Confronting Global Risks
Collective action to tackle the long crisis of globalization
We have analyzed security, climate, energy and other natural resources, pandemic and non-pandemic health threats, and other risks for major think tanks and universities.
We also contributed to the National Intelligence Council’s Global Trends series.
Our analysis of the long crisis of globalization was published by the Brookings Institution, with an update and future scenarios for COVID-19. It was the foundation of our work developing strategies for collective action in chaotic times.
Preventing conflict and violence
Evidence-based prevention to sustain peace and public safety
With the NYU Center on International Cooperation, we launched Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies to deliver SDG16+, bringing together more than 30 governments and other global partners.
We helped develop a new UN/World Bank prevention framework, the OECD’s post-SDG approach to fragility, the INSPIRE strategies to prevent violence against children, and the second Global Status Report on Violence Prevention.
We initiated the Peace in Our Cities coalition, which brings mayors together to halve urban violence.
Building just and inclusive societies
Creating a movement for people-centered justice
Through the Task Force on Justice, we contributed to a new vision and strategy for providing people-centered justice for all, with implementation through the Justice Action Coalition.
We led an analysis of the role of the justice sector in the COVID pandemic, and also advised the Justice Leadership Group.
We have explored inclusive governance for the United Nations, OECD, and Brookings Institution – and acted as advisers to the Global Citizens’ Assembly.
Delivering on the right to learning
Finding pathways to stronger outcomes for all learners
We worked on strengthening learning at all levels. Partners included donors, multilaterals, governments, schools and universities.
We collaborated with the FCDO and the Gates Foundation to build two global research hubs, focusing on edtech and foundational learning.
We worked on learning in emergencies. Projects took us from the Chibok kidnappings in Nigeria to schools in Idlib and Aleppo.
We supported the World Bank/UNESCO Task Force on Higher Education, and continue to work on refugees’ access to university.
A vision for next and future generations
A focus on young people and the 8 billion yet to be born this century
We created the Next Generation research series for the British Council and founded the UN Foundation’s Next Generation Fellows, and launched the Unlock the Future coalition, which brings together the world’s leading organizations working with and for young people.
Our research has provided an evidence-based foundation for multilateral policy for future generations.
We have also published widely on demographic change.
The future of international cooperation
Strengthening platforms for collective action
With the UN Foundation, we contributed research and writing to the UN Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda.
We supported UN reform initiatives, contributed to High-Level Panels, and advised the President of the General Assembly on the SDG negotiations.
At a national level, we created the UK’s network of climate and environmental diplomats, and published research on UK, European, and US foreign policy for Chatham House and other think tanks.
Rethinking public services
Supporting policymakers in low and middle income countries
Work in public service delivery has included hands-on advice inside government departments, as well as research and evaluation.
In Pakistan, we worked on the Punjab Education Reform Roadmap. In Peshawar, we introduced demographic data into schools planning. And we supported countrywide work on improving routine immunisation.
In Lebanon, we worked on the complex challenges of almost doubling the school population during the Syria Crisis.
Our research has focused on topics such as how best to manage front line public servants.
Communicating in a complex world
Creating shared awareness of risks and opportunities
We developed new approaches to the public understanding of science and other complex issues for the Royal Society and others.
Our research proposed a new ‘theory of influence’ for foreign policy, underpinning our work on networked multilateralism.
We created the first blog to report live from a global summit, used new media to catalyze debate around the selection of World Bank presidents, hosted the Global Dashboard foreign policy website, and challenged tired development narratives for the British Overseas Aid Group.
Design for a better future
Standing out in a crowded and chaotic environment
We have consistently championed strong design as an essential component of all our policy and strategic work.
Highlights include: award-winning design for the Department for International Development; a collaboration with the Guardian on voting preferences; and the launch of the UK’s innovation agency, Nesta.
We created branding and a full suite of assets for the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just, and Inclusive Societies and for the UN Foundation’s Our Future Agenda initiative.