Jo Swinson MP delivers speech to UN conference on global economy (Midlothian Liberal Democrats)

Midlothian Liberal Democrats <laird.ross@btinternet.com>

Jo Swinson MP delivers speech to UN conference on global economy

November 20, 2009 3:58 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Jo Swinson MP gave a speech at a United Nations conference on the global economic crisis in New York this week.

The Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations brings together Parliamentarians from around the world to debate some of the most pressing political issues of the time. This year's theme is 'The Way Forward - Building political support and implementing effective responses to the global economic crisis'.Jo Swinson MP: East Dunbartonshire

Jo Swinson chaired a panel debate entitled 'Delivering a green recovery: solutions for a more sustainable economy', and gave a speech on the need to reconstruct the global economy in a way that prioritises sustainability and human wellbeing. She argued that progress should be measured not just in terms of economic growth but also in terms of people's wellbeing, an agenda which Ms Swinson pursues in the UK as Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Wellbeing Economics.

Commenting, Jo Swinson said:

"It was truly an honour to be invited to speak at the United Nations in New York, particularly on a subject which I feel very passionately about. It was a pleasure to debate with Parliamentarians from so many different countries and to listen to the different perspectives they brought to the discussion.

"The global economic crisis has been devastating for people the world over, particularly in less developed countries, and it is important that was learn as much as can from it in order to prevent this from happening again. We have an opportunity to rebuild the global economy in a more sustainable way, which takes account of the things we really value, such as protecting the planet and promoting our wellbeing and security. It is important that we grasp this opportunity with both hands."

Notes:

Members of the panel on 'Delivering a green recovery: solutions for a more sustainable economy' included Hon. Steen Gade, Member of the Danish Parliament and Chair of the Committee on the Environment; Jane Stewart, Representative of the International Labour Organisation at the United Nations; Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations; and James Gustave Speth, Dean of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

For more information on the Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations 2009, please visit http://www.ipu.org/splz-e/unga09.htm