We need to understand that we need to get the work-life balance better for both men and women - by men taking on more of those roles of homemaking and child rearing - it's an important area that we still haven't got right. I do worry; it's not just in the United States, it's also in parts of Latin America.

The fossil-fuel-based development model has not benefitted all people and those who have benefitted least are now suffering great harm in the face of climate change.

The first thing to recognize is how fortunate Ireland is to be an island off the west coast of Europe, and therefore helped by the prevailing winds to escape the effects of acid rain and other problems. We were also lucky not to have had the same kind of industrial revolution and industry as some other countries. Our problem now is to create employment, but to do it in ways that value our environment.

We now know that climate change is a driver of migration, and is expected to increase the displacement of populations.

Climate change is the greatest threat to human rights in the 21st century.

All countries are particular and no models are perfect.

The MDGs have been useful in moving human rights and development discourse together and in highlighting the need for greater accountability at all levels.