The ‘refugee crisis’ these days is most often spoken about as a European issue but is in fact a global tragedy for many millions of families in every region of the world. But what is a refugee? What’s the difference between a migrant, an asylum seeker, an IDP (Internally Displaced Person) and a refugee? What… Continue reading A better world for refugees?

We are certainly living through momentous times in our politics.  We now have a new Prime Minister and Cabinet, who will face many challenges.  I’m sure Theresa May has been bombarded with advice and questions, but that is no reason for me not to add my own. So here is my open letter to our… Continue reading “Dear Mrs May”

Having spent a long and fulfilling career in charitable organisations, it won’t be a surprise to anyone that I believe in the fundamentally vital role that voluntary organisations (the so-called “Third Sector”) play in our national (and international) life. Charities will be needed now more than ever, as the UK faces Brexit-related uncertainty, upheaval, division… Continue reading Time to support our charities!

The idea of leadership has hit the headlines since the referendum result. First we had Hilary Benn declaring that Jeremy Corbyn “is a good and decent man, but he is not a leader”.  Then Michael Gove made his surprise bid to displace Boris Johnson as a candidate for leadership of the Conservative Party, and Prime… Continue reading Leadership in a time of crisis

I stayed up watching the EU Referendum results until 2am, by which time the result was clear.  Now, we have to think about the agenda for a better future. For me the key to that better future lies in our much-maligned and fractured education system. Let me tell you why. I’m very sorry that the… Continue reading In or out, education is the key to building a better society

I know a lot of people are still wondering how to vote on 23rd.  There is so much confusing and contradictory information and polemic it is hard to sort out facts from fantasy and know who to trust when so much seems to be a matter of opinion and judgement rather than absolute knowledge. For… Continue reading Vote for humanity in the EU referendum

Ahead of the Parliamentary debate on 13th June, triggered by a Mail petition, I have been re-reading the cacophony of attacks on aid in the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday in recent months. I have been searching for something I can agree with. There isn’t much, but here are two examples. In their eight… Continue reading I’m Proud of Aid! And finding ways to agree with the Daily Mail!

Ian Dury, of Blockheads fame, was a Unicef UK Ambassador when I started as Executive Director in 1999.  Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to get to know him as he died in early 2000, later to be succeeded by Robbie Williams (the instigator of the wonderful Soccer Aid event which happens again at Old… Continue reading Reasons to be cheerful