As of March 2026, this website is no longer being updated. I now work mainly on climate issues, especially in Brighton and Hove, and new work can be found on the website of Climate:Change, our independent think-tank on socially inclusive action in the City: www.climatechangebh.org.uk.
Meanwhile, however, this website has over 850 entries, mostly representing my work on international development from 2010-2025. Among much else, there are over 50 book reviews, more than 20 papers and training cases on bridging research and policy and on managing think-tanks, and many papers on other topics, including aid, food security and nutrition, and the future of international development. See ‘Topics and Themes’ for more details. I can be reached at sm@simonmaxwell.net.
Three months to shape Europe’s international role
Three months to shape Europe’s international role, with Paul Engel, Dirk Messner, Pierre Schori, published in Die Zeit, The Broker and openDemocracy
Decisions made over the next three months will shape Europe’s future international role. On the one hand, the script which drives global policy-making is being re-written, shaped by response to the financial crisis, climate change, and global security challenges. On the other hand, the institutions of the European Union are on the brink of radical overhaul – whether or not the Irish referendum on 2 October allows the Lisbon Treaty to be ratified. By January, we will have new institutions, new leaders and the outline of a new script. Will we also be optimistic about Europe as a progressive force?.............