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About Clare Birkett

Clare joined Eurodad in November 2009 as Communications Officer. In this newly created role her responsibilities include implementing and improving communications systems. Specifically, she assists with improving and maintaining the BetterAid and Eurodad websites, preparing newsletters, publicising and disseminating these, and improving internal communication amongst members.

Before joining Eurodad Clare worked at the World Development Movement, a Eurodad member based in the UK, first as the Policy and Campaigns Intern and later as the Communications and Marketing Assistant, assisting with the production of various internal and external communications.

Clare has a BA Hons. degree in French and Linguistics from the University of Edinburgh. English is her mother tongue, she speaks French and has a working knowledge of Spanish.

Articles by Clare Birkett

Tuesday 31st August

World Bank crisis-lending contravenes Eurodad responsible lending principles

Nora Honkaniemi and Clare Birkett, 31 August 2010

Despite commitments by the World Bank to significantly reduce conditions attached to its loans, research from Eurodad reveals that a massive 57 conditions were attached to three loans given to Ghana in 2009. 12 out of the 57 conditions were stipulated in a side document, and not made explicit in loan agreements themselves, contravening responsible financing principles.

These economic policy conditions restrict the right of Ghana - a country with good democratic credentials - to decide for itself how to recover from the global crisis and boost sustainable investment. The reforms that the World Bank imposes may hinder not help Ghana's development and democratic institutions.