issues of the week

“Saturday, 6 August, was the 77th anniversary of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima. Speaking at a commemoration, Antonio Guterres said “Humanity is playing with a loaded gun" as crises with potential for nuclear disaster proliferate worldwide.”

“New Climate Change Bill has passed through the Australian House of Representatives “setting a minimum 43% cut in carbon emissions by 2030”. It is encouraging to see that the Labor Bill was supported by Teals, Greens, and one Liberal MP, with the Government accepting Independents’ amendments.”

“I was deeply saddened by news of the death of former Philippines President, Fidel Ramos. I extended the deepest condolences of the Global Leadership Foundation, of which President Ramos was a distinguished member, to President Ramos’ family and to the people of Philippines.“

“In a happiness index ranking of 146 countries, NZ is ranked a creditable 10th: a useful counterweight to clickbait via sensational media headlines, op eds, and talkback radio conveying impressions of an unhappy, divided, polarised society.”

Check out my Twitter page for more information and links on these issues.

THE LATEST FROM THE HELEN CLARK FOUNDATION

WEBINAR - The path ahead for Russia’s war on Ukraine

2 August

“This was a members-only event. A recording of the event will be made available to members soon. To become a member please click here.

This webinar, co-hosted by the Helen Clark Foundation and Chatham House, saw the Right Honourable Helen Clark in conversation with James Nixey, Director of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House, and Orysia Lutsevych, research fellow and manager of the Ukraine Forum in the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House.

The panel was introduced by Executive Director of the Helen Clark Foundation Kathy Errington, and discussed how the war is perceived in Russia and elsewhere in the former Soviet states, the impact on Ukraine and its prospects, and how events might unfold in the remaining months of this year. It reflected on the range of reactions across the international community, and whether there is scope for diplomacy to play a role, and if so by whom and when the entry points could be.”