Bond statement in response to Henry Jackson Society's "Global Britain: A Twenty-First Century Vision"

Responding to the launch of Henry Jackson Society’s “Global Britain: A Twenty-First Century Vision” Claire Godfrey, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Bond, the UK’s network of International Development NGOs, said:

“It’s welcome that the authors and sponsors of this report have an interest beyond Britain’s borders, but their approach risks severely undermining UK development efforts, particularly in the world’s poorest countries, and would, in fact, serve to weaken the UK’s global influence. The UK would become known across partner countries and international institutions for ineffective, non-transparent and self-interested development and humanitarian aid.

Also, far from being the problem, international rules in development are needed to safeguard the interests of all – particularly people facing humanitarian conflict, climate change or poverty. If the UK seeks to weaken those rules, everyone loses out, including the UK. The UK risks undoing the benefits it has gained from its respectable record as a donor on the international stage in recent decades.”

Notes to editor

Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 400 civil society organisations and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
For further information please contact Maryam Mohsin on 07555 336029 or [email protected]