Throughout her life, Jo worked on a wide range of issues both at home and abroad. The Foundation is bringing to bear the goodwill of both the public and Jo's networks to continue Jo's campaigning on a diverse range of domestic and international issues, including:
Loneliness: The Foundation is continuing the work of the Loneliness Commission that Jo established to bring about a step change in the public policy response to the UK's loneliness crisis. Throughout 2017, the Foundation has been working to highlight the issue of loneliness amongst different groups and this work will culminate in December 2017 when a whole range of activities will take place to encourage both the government and the general public to do more to tackle the loneliness crisis.
The Syrian conflict: The Foundation has taken up Jo's work to galvanise the support of the public and decision makers for the protection of Syrian civilians. Over the past year the Foundation has been working closely with MPs and organisations to push for more sustained engagement amongst parliamentarians on the Syrian conflict. In the months ahead, the Foundation will work closely with key allies to engage the public in this critical pillar of Jo’s work.
Women in public life: The Foundation is continuing Jo's efforts to develop the routes for women to enter public life and acquire the critical skills and confidence needed to do so. In the coming months, the Foundation will be working with leading organisations in the women's sector to identify a campaigning moment to mark 100 years of women having suffrage and being able to stand in election.
- Protecting civilians in conflict: The Foundation is carrying on Jo's lifelong commitment to increase support for the protection of civilians in conflict and to prevent mass atrocities. In January 2017, a report which was started by Jo ‘The Cost of Doing Nothing’ (available to download here) was launched at an event with Gordon Brown and William Haugue. Following on from the report, the priority for the next year will be to develop and maintain political support for the full implementation of the Responsibility to Protect framework.
(Photo on this page courtesy of the Huddersfield Examiner)