Helen Clark's Diary, May
Celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day with us on 28 May 2023
Unfortunately many things hold girls and women back including stigma around periods. We need to break that stigma and invest in menstrual health and hygiene. That's why I wear this bracelet. Period!
pandemic preparedness & response
Make COVID 19 the Last Pandemic, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and I call on G7 leaders
"World quickly forgets health crises and neglects preparedness required to avert future ones. Given damage and lessons learned from COVID 19, G7 leaders must commit to specific steps to ensure that such a pandemic never occurs again." See the full statement here.
Ongoing negotiations on a global pandemic treaty
Bleak but probably realistic account of prospect of lowest common denominator outcome of ongoing negotiations for a pandemic accord: “How countries are throwing away their best chance to prevent the next pandemic”. There are divisions on equitable access and more. Politico has more on this subject.
Time for leaders to protect the world from pandemic threats
“The COVID 19 global emergency has been declared over, and has been a global catastrophe.
COVID 19 has led to the deaths of some twenty million people, caused long-lasting physical and mental health impacts, battered health workers and systems, slowed and reversed the gains made on the Sustainable Development Goals, has led to multiple trillions in economic losses, and has weakened social cohesion in many countries.”
The full statement from Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and me is available on The Independent Panel’s website. This statement links to our recent report, A road map for a world protected from pandemic threats.
Also check out The Guardian article, Is Covid really over?
WOMEN’s LEADERSHIP
Dr Geeta Rao Gupta becomes new ambassador for women’s issues
Congratulations to Dr Geeta Rao Gupta on becoming USA Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues. Much to do to support full human rights of girls and women around the world. USA voice on these issues is important. See United Nations Foundation website for more.
NEW ZEALAND
2023 NZ Budget
Some useful commentary in The Conversation on 2023 New Zealand Budget delivered in Parliament on 18 May. Highlights include extension of 20 hours free ECE to 2-year olds and removal of prescription charges. Noteworthy that Treasury is no longer forecasting recession for this year.
New Zealand’s nuclear free status
NZ Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta reaffirms importance of New Zealand’s independent foreign policy and refers to New Zealand’s nuclear free status as a cornerstone of it. Earlier Chris Hipkins confirmed there have been “no formal decisions on any NZ engagement around AUKUS”. The Post has more on this issue.
THE LATEST FROM THE HELEN CLARK FOUNDATION
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WELCOME MURRAY BRUGES
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WELCOME MURRAY BRUGES 〰️
Murray Bruges, Helen Clark, Peter Davis, Kalie Mercier
Murray Bruges becomes our new Executive Director
The Helen Clark Foundation is delighted to welcome new Executive Director, Murray Bruges. Murray has a background in business, foreign affairs and environmental policy. He brings a wealth of experience to the Foundation.
Murray has worked in various roles related to government affairs, policy, and trade. Prior to joining the Foundation, Murray held the position of Manager, NZ Government Affairs at Fonterra Co-operative Group in Auckland. In this role, he specialised in resource management and environmental policy.
Before joining Fonterra, Murray spent nearly a decade working for the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). During his time at MFAT from 2011 to 2020, he held several positions focusing on trade, economic, technology, and climate policy, including a three year posting to the New Zealand Consulate General in Los Angeles.
Earlier Murray worked for the Ministry of Fisheries, where he dealt with various policy issues related to fisheries management.
Murray lives in Auckland with his wife and son.
NZ drug policy and minimising harm from methamphetamine
"We have to see people who use drugs as part of our society" Helen Clark cutting to the core of the issue in our recent webinar on Minimising the Harms from Methamphetamine. For more on this important kaupapa, see the full report here.
Click on the picture to view Helen Clark’s full statement.
Doco “Mana over Meth"
“Consider helping these wāhine toa get to Los Angeles to show their doco 'Mana over Meth' at the Reel Recovery Film Festival. An inspiring story of empowerment, resilience and hope in one woman's journey to overcome addiction and rediscover her whakapapa.” You can donate towards their journey here.