Global Citizen : Grass Roots Activism and High Diplomacy: Recollections 1972 - 2022.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wright, Carl.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Wright, Carl.

Political activists.

Diplomacy.

Political participation.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (379 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Hertford : Hansib Publications, 2022.

Summary:

Carl Wright has devoted his entire working life to global action through grass roots activism and international diplomacy. During the past fifty years he engaged with world leaders and political icons from across the globe, including Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Indira Gandhi, Julius Nyerere, Shridath Ramphal, Fidel Castro, Aung San Suu Kyi, Ban Ki-Moon, Cyril Ramaphosa, Helen Clark and Bob Hawke. In these and many other encounters, he reflects his experiences of, 'What it was like to be there,' as he puts it. Having made official visits to some 100 countries from developed to developing nations, to fragile states and countries undergoing democratic transition he has seen at first-hand what is required to implement good governance. These high-level missions included most of the 54 nations of the Commonwealth, along with some of the world's least visited countries, such as Moldova, Myanmar and South Sudan. Written from the perspective of a grass roots activist, Commonwealth diplomat and local government leader, these recollections provide rare insights into the relationships between inter-governmental organisations, global associations of mayors and trade unions, and the effects of political and social advocacy. In his writing he draws extensively on his experiences of working in the Commonwealth, the United Nations and the European Union at senior level. Perhaps most significant is his long-standing involvement with the anti-apartheid struggle, and he recalls with great sensitivity the many challenges he and others faced. Carl Wright's personal and candid book delivers a critical message: the need for global understanding and co-operation. With the rise of political populists, authoritarian strongmen and violent extremists, he implores us to strengthen fragile international relations and mitigate the threat of conflict which is currently real and ever-present. In her Foreword, Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, says: 'His record in actively promoting internationalism over fifty years ... makes for inspiring reading.'

Contents:

Intro

Title

Copyright

Acknowledgements

Glossary

Contents

Preface

Foreword

Prologue

Part I: European Union and Global Labour (the 1970s) Youthful Activism and International Engagement

1. Yes to Europe

2. First Brits in Brussels

3. Apparatchiks versus Politicos

4. Workers United

5. Fair Labour Rights

6. New International Economic Order

7. The 1970s - A Reflection

Part II: Neo-Liberal Ascendency (the 1980s) From Trade Union Action to Commonwealth Diplomacy

8. Fresh Beginnings

9. Recasting Global Paradigms

10. The Impact of Thatcherism

11. CHOGMs and Expert Groups

12. Rhodesia to Zimbabwe

13. Confronting Apartheid

14. Global Solidarity

15. On Her Majesty's Diplomatic List

16. Trade Union Relapse

17. The 1980s Assessed

Part III: The End of History (the 1990s) Dealing with Global Change and Challenge

18. Step-change in International Relations

19. Aftermath of the Collapse of Communism

20. Fragile States and Inclusive Institutions

21. Post-apartheid Transition

22. Fair and Free Elections

23. Party Political Lotteries

24. The 1990s Remembered

Part IV: Local Government Campaigns (towards 2000 and beyond) Promoting People Empowerment

25. Challenge for the New Millennium

26. Networks and Partnerships

27. Advocacy for Local Democracy

28. Knowledge-sharing and Good Practices

29. Building Local Capacity

30. The 2000s Evaluated

Part V: New Realities (to the present time) Unravelling of the Post-1945 Consensus

31. 9/11, 7/7 and Violent Extremism

32. Economic Crash, Austerity and the New Populists

33. A Little Local Difficulty

34. Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals

35. Final Acts and New Roles

36. Post-2000 Appraisal

Part VI: Echoes and Images (Old Memories and New Plans).

37. Royal Encounters

38. Shaping My Life

39. Greek Colonels and other Foreign Adventures

40. Facing Superpower Rivalries

41. Private Interludes and In-between Pastimes

42. A Luta Continua

Epilogue

Bibliography

Index

Picture Sections.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9781912662661

1912662663

OCLC:

1352023915