Accountability Quote by Mary Robinson
“It remains the task of governments to implement the fundamental human rights standards which should influence all aspects of globalisation, including even trade talks, and to be answerable for this in a democratic way. The structure is international, but the accountability is national and I would like to see that accountability being more penetrating at regional and local level, especially in federal systems.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: UN Climate Summit, 2015
Governments must embed human rights in all globalisation aspects, ensuring accountability from international to local levels.
In simple terms: Human rights should guide global trade and be enforced locally.
Key Takeaway
Push for rights‑based policies at every governance level.
Themes
human rights
globalisation
trade
accountability
governance
Mood
urgent
hopeful
Type
political
inspirational
When to use this quote
- policy drafting
- NGO advocacy
- local governance
- trade negotiations
Key Concepts
international law
federalism
regional policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can local communities hold governments accountable?
- What mechanisms ensure rights‑based trade?
A Different Perspective
Implementation can be hindered by political interests and resource limits.
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