As of March 2026, this website is no longer being updated.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, nearly 100 articles on climate change, 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.
Reform of International Institutions: Towards a Commonwealth Agenda
Reform of International Institutions: Towards a Commonwealth Agenda - Commonwealth Secretariat
In today’s world, responses to global challenges can only be achieved by collective debate and action. A coordinated response is required to achieve satisfactory and sustainable outcomes, however, international institutions are no longer placed to support an adequate response to these challenges: they are structurally outdated and in urgent need of reform....
This timely and relevant book examines three sets of major international institutions: the UN, the World Bank and IMF, and institutions concerned with international environmental governance. The contributors, all experts in international policy, argue that current global concerns have outgrown the existing system and an effective response requires serious multilateral co-operation. International institutions must become more efficient and inclusive of emerging economies and smaller states in order to become relevant and effective.
Reform of international institutions is essential for future economic stability and sustainable development. There must be bold steps towards real change. By highlighting the issues and offering recommendations for next steps this book (see link in title) aims to push debate in order to accelerate reform.
Co-written with W Bradnee Chambers, Jonathan Ockenden and Ngaire Woods