While growing global interdependence has accelerated, progress in fighting poverty, the global downturn coupled with threats from climate change and conflict could reverse this. But our very interdependence illuminates ways in which development is not only morally right but in our common interest.
Douglas Alexander is the Secretary of State for International Development, and leads the British Government’s efforts to tackle global poverty. He has held a number of positions in Government and was first elected to Parliament in 1997 for Renfrewshire, the community in Scotland where he grew up. He has spoken at the Festival in past years, and despite his dislike of camping, he and his family have attended Greenbelt for many years.
