Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, on philanthropy, coalitions and the power of sport: a special series marking the 10th anniversary of the PBC 2026 Forum
Helen Clark served as Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms and went on to become Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme for two terms, one of the most senior roles in the entire UN system.
In this episode of Do One Better Podcast, Alberto Lidji sits down with Helen for a wide ranging conversation covering her grassroots political beginnings in New Zealand's anti-apartheid movement, the state of global progress towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and the fragile state of the international order. Helen and Alberto discuss the importance of building pragmatic coalitions and cross sector collaboration, the role philanthropy can play amid shrinking development aid, the future of Asian philanthropy on the world stage, and her work chairing Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. They also explore the powerful role sport and volunteering play at grassroots level in building stronger communities.
This conversation was recorded at the PBC 2026 Forum (Philanthropy for Better Cities 2026) in Hong Kong, and forms part of a special series marking the forum's 10th anniversary, convened by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, in association with the Institute of Philanthropy.
It is a candid and ultimately hopeful conversation about how each of us, whatever our platform, can choose to do good.
About Helen Clark
Helen Clark is a respected global leader on sustainable development and international co-operation. She served three successive terms as Prime Minister of New Zealand between 1999 and 2008. While in government, she led policy debate on a wide range of economic, social, environmental, and cultural issues, including sustainability and climate change. She was United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator for two terms from 2009 to 2017. In 2019 she became patron of The Helen Clark Foundation. She chairs a number of international organisations, including the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.