Other International Roles

Helen Clark is President of Chatham House (The Royal Institute of International Affairs) and a Board Member of Women Deliver. She also serves as an Ambassador for the Open Government Partnership and the INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI). Most recently, she joined The Elders.

The Elders

MEMBER

Helen Clark joined The Elders in September 2023. The Eldres, founded in 2007 by Nelson Mandela is a group of independent global leaders who have come together to address some of the world's most pressing problems. The Elders include former heads of state, former United Nations officials, and other prominent individuals who work collectively to promote peace, human rights, and social justice. They provide independent advice on issues such as conflict resolution, climate change, and access to healthcare.

On 20th July 2021, Helen Clark was elected President of Chatham House. Helen Clark is replacing Sir John Major and will join Baroness Eliza Manningham-Buller and Lord Darling as one of the Institute’s three serving presidents. 

Chatham House Director Robin Niblett welcomed the appointment:

‘We are excited to have found someone with the high-level political experience and who shares the strong reputation for integrity that Sir John enjoys. Helen Clark is highly regarded around the world for her past and current endeavours. Her election also underscores the institute’s global outlook and priorities, which she is so well qualified to help guide.’

Helen Clark joined Women Deliver in April 2018. Women Deliver is a prominent global advocate for gender equality and the health, rights, and wellbeing of girls and women. Helen Clark brought with her a wealth of political experience and a strong commitment to promoting gender equality.

In her statement upon joining the Board, Helen Clark said, “Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by a commitment to deliver a better future for everyone, and promoting gender equality is a key part of achieving that vision. That’s why I’m thrilled to join Women Deliver’s Board of Directors. Women Deliver and I both know that when the world invests in girls and women, there’s a ripple effect that lifts up families, communities, and entire countries.”

Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a global initiative that brings together governments and civil society to promote transparency, public participation, and accountability. Launched in 2011, it was created to encourage collaboration between officials and advocacy groups, ensuring that governments serve their citizens more openly and effectively. Today, the OGP includes 77 countries and 150 local governments, representing over two billion people. By working with thousands of civil society organizations, the partnership helps shape policies that strengthen democracy, combat corruption, and improve public trust in government institutions. Helen Clark has been an OGP Ambassador since October 2017.

Helen Clark was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for SAI Independence in 2022, advocating for the crucial role of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) in transparency and accountability.

The INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI) supports SAIs in developing countries, helping them strengthen public financial management, governance, and oversight. Our approach is tailored, sustainable, and focused on real impact—promoting gender responsiveness and peer-to-peer collaboration to enhance SAI effectiveness.