Welcome

Urbanisation

Mass urbanisation is one of the defining issues of our times. By 2030 two-thirds of the global population will be living in cities yet the vast majority of city dwellers in the developing world live in slums, without access to proper housing and basic infrastructure and services.

Whilst the mismanagement of urban regions contributes to systemic global inequality, in economic terms, urbanisation tends to promote growth. Clare works with the Cities Alliance and other advocacy groups for slum-dwellers to campaign for improvements in urban policy and planning so that cities can serve as poles for international development in the global south.

Consequences of climate change

The catastrophic effects of climate change and man-made environmental degradation are already being registered. In the developing world, lack of adequate public infrastructure and investment means that the poor will suffer most.

Following the work of environmental theorist, Lester Brown, Clare believes that our failure to act to create a more effective global system could lead to a very ugly future, as millions are displaced as a result of climate change, more states collapse into weakness and disorder and wars are fought over water and oil. Clare argues that we must face up to the reality of this dreadful prospect so that we determine to redouble our efforts to avoid such a future.

Transparency in the extractive industries

Developing countries often possess vast natural resources but are poorer than comparable states which lack these resources. During her tenure as Chair of the EITI (2011-2016), Clare worked to encourage governments and corporations to make public details of their transactions with the extractive industry and their management of natural resources.

Israel-Palestine

Throughout her career Clare has remained a committed advocate of Palestinian self-determination and emancipation, and has worked with numerous charities and organisations committed to improving living conditions in the occupied territories. Clare believes that a two-state solution to the conflict is becoming impossible because of Israel’s ongoing settlement policy, militarism and undermining of international law.