Cover Story:
In an era defined by the emergence of populist leaders who are often authoritarian and reactionary, Jacinda Ardern stands out as progressive and collaborative. The Youngest woman leader, Jacinda Ardern was featured in May-June issue of the British Herald magazine, with the publication describing her as, “A Leader of our Times, who has the distinction of being the youngest female Prime Minister of the Tasman country and been hugely admired ever since her election to the top post in 2017. Right from the beginning, she has been a whip of fresh air. A woman of the moment, she was lauded by international media as a beacon of hope in a grim international political landscape. Here stood a woman, who seemed to embody New Zealand’s best attributes of optimism, common sense, approachability and, most of all, empathy. Jacinda has proven that she is a true contemporary leader, a leader that citizens can bank on.”
Jacinda is serving as the 40th and current Prime Minister of New Zealand since October 26, 2017. She has also served as the Leader of the Labour Party since August 1, 2017. Jacinda has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Mount Albert electorate since March 8, 2017. She was first elected to the House of Representatives as a list MP during the 2008 general elections. Jacinda has described herself as a social democrat, a progressive, a republican and a feminist. She has voiced her support for a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. BH described her as the definitive progressive antithesis to the crowded field of right-wing strongmen, whose careers thrive on illiberal, anti- Muslim rhetoric.
Jacinda is clear-eyed about what a prime minister of New Zealand, a country with a population of under five million, can achieve on the world stage. She points to New Zealand’s longstanding nuclear-free policy as an example and wants to apply that same moral leadership to action on climate change. She has resisted war rhetorics and literally redefined how a nation should face reality and grieve in situation of terrorism.
Jacinda Ardern’s leadership since the Christchurch attack has been an inspiration to all. Not only she delivered swift action on gun control, she also sent a powerful message around the world about shared values—“that those who seek to divide us will never succeed, and that New Zealand will always protect and celebrate the diversity and openness that make our countries so great”. Ardern’s commitment to fighting child poverty and homelessness has come as a relief after years of relentless increases in both. Whereas the world’s right-wing populists stigmatize and stereotype marginalized people, Ardern has established kindness as a key principle for government policy and has worked to promote inclusion and social cohesion. Without any doubt, Nation can take pride in her global profile, boundless energy and optimism and in her ability to draw positive attention to her country.
Editorials- Suppression of Terrorism and Agenda of New Indian Government
In the wake of Srilankan Terror Attack, British Herald magazine discussed the ‘Need of suppressing Terrorism’. It highlighted that in the world of grave uncertainties and violence today, voices of sanity need to be brought forth vociferously. Hate cannot be fought back by hate only. Violence begets further violence and that spiral has to be end.
The magazine also covered about the ‘Agenda for the New Indian Government’ as India prepared for another general election. Committing to true secularism where the state does not negate any faith but also does not become party to any faith; Pledging to uphold socialistic welfare economy as envisaged in the Constitution; upholding multicultural plurality of India; raising conviction in cases of assault on women, and enhancing their socio- economic participation were some of the key notes discussed on this editorial section.
News Feeds:
British Herald mentioned about the Islamist attack on Srilanka and how it inflected the minds and thoughts of the people. In addition, it also covered news such as Big brands diving into esports to court youth market; Airbnb’s bet on show business to hook travelers; Toyota abandoning plan to install U.S connected vehicle tech by 2021; Bosch signing pact with Sweden’s Powercell to mass produce fuel cells; Trash found littering ocean floor in deepest-ever sub dive and City and Liverpool setting new standards with ‘fusion football’.