Helen Clark's Diary, February
WAR IN UKRAINE
24 February - 1st anniversary of war in Ukraine
Heavy toll of lives lost, injuries sustained, and homes and infrastructure destroyed continues to mount. International law was broken, war crimes and crimes against humanity are numerous. More in NYT.
There was a big vote in UN General Assembly for immediate Russian withdrawal from Ukraine: yes 141, 33 abstentions, 7 against. Check out this article in The Guardian for more.
Energy transition
SPEECH: The importance of good governance to the energy transition
As Chair of the Board of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative I had the pleasure to speak at this year’s Oslo Energy Forum. The forum provides a platform for dialogue on pressing issues which the energy sector is facing today. Read the full speech below.
WOMEN LEADERS
Nicola Sturgeon resigns as Scotland’s first minister
What does it say about our political systems when talented women leaders withdraw saying that they no longer have the energy to do the job? Wake up call for our societies about the extra pressures imposed on women in public life. Check out this The Guardian article for more on this issue.
PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
WORKSHOP: How to build a health commons approach to pandemic preparedness and response
Check out this recent workshop on health innovation. The workshop’s premise was to identify crucial elements needed for health innovation in both private and public sectors.
An event co-hosted by DNDi, UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, and Friends of the Independent Panel.
Richard Horton’s Editorial
Logic of independent evaluation of ACT_A (Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator) needs to be followed; it couldn’t meet its objectives and ensure equitable access required to global common goods. New end-to-end system is required. See Richard Horton’s editorial.
CYCLONE GABRIELLE
Cyclone Gabrielle leaves huge damage
Devastating to see loss of life, homes, infrastructure and the damage to farms and other property caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in New Zealand. The cyclone has hit many regions very hard. My heart goes out to all who have lost loved ones and have been impacted in many ways. Check out this article in NZ Herald.
Anger is mounting at the contribution of poor forestry practice in New Zealand to exacerbating the effects of severe weather events like Cyclone Gabrielle. Read this compelling op ed from Anne Salmond. There appears to be a strong case for regulation in public interest.
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT
Amsterdam in the 1970s.
Change happens slowly and has to be consistent
“The Cycling Professor says on Twitter: “We can't change; our city is not Amsterdam!!' Well, so wasn't Amsterdam! It took long, deliberate and consistent work. And a conscious joint decision to change!”
Also check out this The Guardian article on public transport that could be relevant to Auckland: “Increasing frequency of local bus routes in underprivileged suburbs can provide better return on taxpayer investment “by a considerable margin” than projects such as Melbourne’s suburban rail loop, researchers have found.”
Check out my Twitter page for more information and links on these and more current issues.
HONORARY DEGREE
University of Toronto awards honorary degrees to 14 academic, business and community leaders
I was honoured to be awarded an honorary degree by University of Toronto, Canada. I look forward to traveling to Toronto for ceremony later in year.
In its article U of T News summarises, “a leading stem cell scientist and biotech entrepreneur. An influential couple whose philanthropy champions health care, education and community-building. A former head of state who prioritized gender equality and sustainability in her public service career. An inspirational business leader who is breaking down systemic barriers facing Black entrepreneurs. And an internationally acclaimed filmmaker whose work has put anti-colonial resistance and Indigenous persistence in the spotlight.” You can read the whole U of T News article here.
THE LATEST FROM THE HELEN CLARK FOUNDATION
WEBINAR: Global Issues
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