Speeches
Address to the Labour Party Conference.
We are living at a time of massive historical change. The effects of the new information technologies and the speed with which capital is moving around the world, is reshaping the world economy and the nature of political power. I...
Protectionism in aid procurement: disposing of a dinosaur.
Protectionism in aid procurement wastes money, distorts objectives and makes it increasingly difficult to increase effectiveness in international development. I am pleased to be here today. It is particularly appropriate that this should be at the invitation of the Adam...
Hugh Gaitskell Lecture on Education.
America’s actions in the ‘War on Terror’ clearly indicate that you cannot control people by oppressing them. It’s only through a sense of justice and order that people will agree and come together to effect change. The subject of my...
Statistics for the elimination of world poverty.
We are still some way from having the statistics needed for effective economic and social development. I am very pleased to be here with you today and grateful to all those who have made the meeting possible. I am increasingly...
UNICEF Annual Lecture.
The Department for International Development is consulting closely with UNICEF to ensure that the 2015 development targets can be met so that we can bring about the biggest improvement in life opportunities for the largest number of children in human...
The challenge for the UN in a globalising world.
A renewed, more focused and more effective UN is within our grasp. In the early years of the new millennium, the UN could lead the way on the delivery worldwide of the biggest advance humanity has every made. If we...
Trade unions: partners for development.
The challenge for the new Millennium is to advance the principles of social justice in a new, more interdependent world. To bring real advances in human welfare for millions of working people and their families. Trade unions are central to...
Strengthening Europe’s role in international development.
A stronger, more effective European development effort can help secure a massive advance in poverty reduction and development, and underpin a more stable and secure world in the new century. There could hardly be a better time to debate the...
Education and our global future.
Young people are instinctively concerned about global development issues. We must take more seriously the question of how best to bring development into the work and life of schools. The issue I want to discuss today is not new to...
Debt relief for poverty reduction.
We must create a new development framework that links debt relief much more explicitly to the reduction of poverty and that promotes sustainable development. Next week, Gordon Brown and I will represent Britain at the spring IN meetings of the...
Combatting corruption, promoting development.
A new global determination to take action against corruption is essential to international economic efficiency and stability. There are moments in history when things which previously seemed impossible become feasible. I believe this is the case now with action against...
Security sector reform and the elimination of poverty.
As the first Secretary of State for International Development, Clare Short outlines her priorities early on in her time at the department. I want to start by expressing my appreciation to King’s College and the Centre for Defence Studies for...