It is true that the principle of national citizenship, associated with rights, and the control of a country's borders are two key aspects of modern 'sovereign' nation states as they emerged in the Westphalian order. But there has been much progress since 1648.

No one is born a good citizen or a good democrat or a good leader; it takes time and education.

We tend to look at countries in terms of failed states and functioning states, which is rather simplistic.

It is my aspiration that health finally will be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for.

I am often asked what can people do to become a good global citizen? I reply that it begins in your own community.

There is no development strategy more beneficial to society as a whole - women and men alike - than the one which involves women as central players.

Good, healthy democratic societies are built on three pillars: there's peace and stability, economic development, and respect for rule of law and human rights. But often, we take stability - peace in terms of security and economic activity - to mean a country is doing well. We forget the third and important pillar of rule of law and respect for human rights, because no country can long remain prosperous without that third pillar.