Helen Clark was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 2:00 p.m. ceremony on Tuesday, June 12, “in recognition of her role as an outstanding international leader committed to the values of equality and social empowerment.”
Clark was the 37th prime minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008 and the country’s first elected woman leader. Throughout her time as prime minister and as a member of parliament for more than 27 years, she was widely engaged in policy development and advocacy across international, economic, social, environmental and cultural spheres. Clark advocated strongly for New Zealand’s comprehensive program on sustainability and climate change and was an active leader in the country’s foreign relations, engaging with a wide range of international issues.
She became the first female administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in 2009 and served two terms until she left in 2017. During her tenure, the UNDP was ranked the most transparent global development organization. Simultaneously, Clark was chair of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG), a committee consisting of all UN funds, programs, agencies and departments working on developmental issues. She has also taught political studies at the University of Auckland.
Clark continues to be a strong voice for sustainable development, climate action, gender equality and women’s leadership, peace and justice, and action on noncommunicable diseases, as well as HIV/AIDS.