"Hope is a Verb": 3 Good News Stories on Climate Action / New Global Citizen Festival Headliner / Impact in Ghana / Why Europe Needs Africa / What Is Pragmatic Idealism?
As well as jam-packed list of updates, check out new roles to check out and latest feedback from the book tour
Dear Friends and Supporters,
It’s been a while since I last wrote to you, and to say a lot has happened in the world would be an understatement. On the personal front, my daughter Miki recently met my grandmother for the very first time. A special moment to cherish!
Read on for some exciting updates as we look forward to the latter half of July and be sure to register here for the 24 hour Global Town Hall that will take place early September to have your say! As someone recently remarked to me, we must always remember “Hope is a verb” - it requires action and change starts with each of us.
Another top line thought I want to share is that, lately, I've been thinking about what opportunities for significant policy shifts are opening up. This concept, known as the 'Overton Window,' is something I discuss in the book. For instance, Brazil’s G20 presidency has released a report on taxing billionaire wealth and the roadmap to implement one. While such a tax might seem unlikely, remember that a minimum corporate income tax also seemed implausible until the G20 made it a reality a few years ago. What are your thoughts?
Also, if you’re enjoying From Ideas to Impact on your summer reading list, please consider posting a review on Amazon, Audible, Goodreads, or your preferred outlet including on social media (as Idris Elba did a few weeks back!). Reviews help first-time authors like me immensely! For a summary of some of the good news stories mentioned in the book, and if you’re short on time to read or listen to the full book, check out and share this article here which summarizes 3 of the stories of impact from the book!
Finally, don’t forget to send your book receipt to michael@michaelsheldrick.com to get on the distribution list for a special bonus chapter. If you have any ideas or feedback, feel free to share them too.
Now, onto some updates!
New Global Citizen Festival Headliner Announcement!
Last week Global Citizen announced that world-renowned, rapper, singer, dancer, and overall icon LISA will be joining the list of top tier performers to headline this year’s Global Citizen Festival! LISA is a member of the legendary group BLACKPINK and recent solo artist, with the release of her new single Rockstar. LISA will be making history by debuting as a solo artist at Global Citizen Festival on September 28th in Central Park.
BLACKPINK and LISA have long been advocates for climate action. Being appointed advocate for the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26) in 2020 and calling on world leaders to honor the 2015 Paris Agreement commitments. LISA’s individual efforts align seamlessly with our advocacy goals, further underscoring the festival’s inspiring mission.
A reminder that you can still get tickets by downloading the Global Citizen app and taking action. There are also a limited number of tickets on sale as well. Be in touch if you’re interested.
3 Ways New British PM Keir Starmer Can Take Charge Of The Global Climate Agenda
Check out my latest article about Labour’s return to power in the UK and how Keir Starmer can reestablish Britain as a leading global player, with a focus on resetting relations with the Global South and tackling climate change. 🌍
1. **Domestic Climate Leadership**: Emphasizing a green energy transition and banning new fossil fuel production, supported by the public and key initiatives like the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative.
2. **Global Climate Financing**: Meeting Britain's climate financing pledge and leveraging innovative financing mechanisms to support climate-vulnerable nations.
3. **Partnership with the Global South**: Reforming global financial institutions, investing in education and healthcare, and supporting vaccine sovereignty.
This 3 point approach not only aligns with public sentiment but also offers a roadmap for sustainable and equitable global development. 🌱
Check out the full article here.
Economic Development Assembly: Advancing Africa’s Future
A lot of work is going into the fast-approaching Economic Development Assembly in Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire, taking place in October, which is being presented by both Global Citizen and Bridgewater in partnership with Harith General Partners and the Government of Côte d'Ivoire. Earlier this month, members of the Global Citizen team traveled to Abidjan paving the way for a successful Assembly. They met with a broad range of stakeholders, including local civil society actors and private sector stakeholders, to ensure the participation of the local community. Working-level meetings with the government authorities, including the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Development Minister’s Office, took place as well.
Be sure to be in touch if you are interested about this invite-only event in Côte d'Ivoire! This Economic Development Assembly is crucial to our collective mission of fostering sustainable development and prosperity for Africa’s future.
Almost 2 years on from the Global Citizen Festival in Accra…
Caralene Robinson, Global Citizen’s Chief Growth Officer, breaks down the vision behind Move Afrika in recent media interviews in Ghana. This comes ahead of the 2 year anniversary of the 2022 Global Citizen Festival in Accra, and recent media stories about the impact of commitments announced as part of that campaign. Check them out here and here.
Global Citizen’s latest support for Advocates and Defenders:
Here’s a roundup of GC’s latest work on defending civic space with it’s numerous partners in this space:
GC has developed an Instagram carousel in collaboration with UNEP (the UN Environmental Program) and the UN Human Rights Office, focusing on the work of environmental defenders around the world;
GC worked with the UN Office on Youth Affairs to amplify this Open Letter addressed to world leaders demanding more and better participation of young people in political decision making, this time, ahead of the September Summit Of The Future;
GC organized this Global Citizen Conversation on the status of LGBTQI+ advocacy around the world, with a particular focus on Africa and the participation of different courageous activists and defenders from the continent;
GC were thrilled to work with France-based Syrian Human Rights Defender Bassam Al-ahmad to highlight his life story and activism;
Finally, here you can see GC’s second episode of our Emerging Creatives Program, which features young artists who use artistic expression to highlight civic space and advocacy, this time with 18 year old embroiderer Aynura Erejepbaeva from Uzbekistan!
Please check out all of the amazing work of all these advocates and help us support them and amplify their work and impact!
“Make a Safety Statement”: Launch of the Global Campaign for Road Safety
On July 1st, Global Citizen was pleased to support the launch of the Make a Safety Statement Campaign by the UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, hosted at the International Peace Institute (IPI). The remarkable line up of speakers included Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Husseun, President and CEO of the International Peace Institute; Jean Todt, UN Special Envoy for Road Safety; and H.E Omar Hilale, Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the UN. In addition to the above, an exciting panel of experts discussed the importance of road safety and the steps currently being taken to combat this man-made epidemic. The event included a live art performance by Dragon76, in which he unveiled a new art piece on road safety.
Road safety is a global health concern that needs to be addressed, around 1.19 million people die each year due to road related injuries. Global Citizen is proud to be a part of this noble campaign and looks forward to continuing championing the importance of road safety.
Action on Child Marriage in the US
Global Citizen’s campaign to end child marriage in California continues and we are thrilled to collaborate with Freedom United on this important mission. Only by working together we can make the change happen - we call on Global Citizens to take action here to end forced child marriage in the United States. Global Citizen is delighted to continue its efforts to educate the public, inspire action and endorse a shift in the California state legislature.
Why Europe needs Africa
Europe's future hinges on a robust partnership with Africa - that’s according to the latest essay series from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Edited by our friend David McNair, the study highlights the demographic shift with Europe's aging population and Africa's burgeoning youth. It advocates for a reciprocal approach to development, emphasizing collaboration in climate action, economic integration, and digital markets. As Europe and Africa navigate shared challenges, the need for genuine cooperation and mutual benefit is more crucial than ever. Explore the full insights and the call for a paradigm shift in continental relations.
Book Tour Update - What is Pragmatic Idealism?
The summer book tour has been in full swing and I’ve been grateful for the feedback I’ve been getting. This week I am speaking in Utah where books were kindly provided by Park City’ iconic bookstore Dolly.
I was very grateful for this video piece of feedback on the book from someone who attended my recent book talk at Cambridge University’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership, addressing the inherent tensions in pragmatic idealism:
I believe that there is a lot of work to reconcile Pragmatic Idealism with the current stated of world affairs. Especially if you take into account like Joseph Stiglitz, Varoufakis, Piketty, Christopher Marquis, and Darin Acemoglu. But this book makes a strong case that cannot be ignored especially when it is presented side by side with the philanthropic movement opportunities.
In response I wrote the following:
Pragmatic idealism and incrementalism are often conflated but are distinct concepts. A pragmatic idealist might pursue bold, audacious goals (like those proposed by Stiglitz, Piketty, etc.) but accepts using less-than-ideal means to achieve them. In the book, I illustrate this with an example from Kim Stanley Robinson's Ministry of the Future, where central banks bail out petro states and companies to accelerate climate action, temporarily setting aside questions of reparations and blame. On the other hand, incrementalism (also described in the book as the "foot in the door technique") involves gradually shifting what is acceptable over time, which although a separate approach might have its merits in certain contexts.
What do you think? Feel free to contribute to the conversation on linkedin or send me your thoughts to michael@michaelsheldrick.com.
Finally, I am excited next month to be sharing insights from the book at the AFS Youth Assembly in New York. The organizers are giving the opportunity for 10 young people to attend with a 50% scholarship: CODE. Anyone interested can enter the code when completing the application here.
Global Citizen is Hiring – Come Work With Them!
GC is looking to add new members to it’s Global Policy and Advocacy team! The search is on for the following positions:
1. Impact & Private Sector Policy Senior Associate, based in NY
2. Impact & Accountability Senior Associate, based in NY
3. Policy & Advocacy Manager, Finance & Taxation, based in Paris
Please share this LinkedIn post with your network, and check out and share the full roster of job listings here. GC hopes to welcome some new team members to the New York City Office very soon.
Weekend Reading List
Women this Week: Women Positioned to Lead the European Union Top Jobs
International Civil Society discuss Green Funds and Just Transition with the Finance Track
Global Superstar LISA Joins the 2024 Global Citizen Festival Line-up in NYC
People Are Less Stressed Now Than They Were Before the Pandemic
Built not Born - against “interregnum” talk (Adam Tooze substack)
As always, if you’re enjoying the weekly newsletter format, and want even more, you can subscribe to my Substack here where I publish reviews, lists, and articles regularly.
Stay cool,
Mick
PS
PS remember to email your book receipt through to michael@michaelsheldrick.com to get on the distribution list for the special bonus chapter! Also, it was pointed out to me that Amazon have now dropped the price of the book in the US to just US$19!