July 6, 2009 | Read Time: 2 minutes
After stepping down two years ago as British prime minister, Tony Blair’s second act, as a philanthropist, is “getting into full swing,” write Matthew Bishop and Michael Green on their Values blog.
Yesterday Mr. Blair released a report on climate change as part of his “Breaking the Climate Deadlock” initiative, one of several philanthropic efforts he has chosen to pursue in his post-politics life.
The former prime minister will also focus on development in Africa and fostering ties among the world’s religions through his Tony Blair Faith Foundation and will continue to work as a peace envoy in the Middle East.
Mr. Bishop and Mr. Green write that Mr. Blair is following in the tradition of Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, former U.S. presidents who built post-governmental careers around philanthropy.
Like Mr. Clinton, in particular, the former British prime minister did not leave office a wealthy man, so his assets are primarily his personal brand and his ability to bring together others, the authors write. Also like Mr. Clinton, his brand is a complicated one.
Some observers of Mr. Blair have suggested that he is tackling religious harmony in part out of guilt over what some see as worsening relations with the Muslim world after the invasion of Iraq, which Mr. Blair supported.
Mr. Bishop and Mr. Green write that in comparison to his lofty goals for the Middle East, his Africa Governance Initiative “seems far more down to earth.” Mr. Blair’s goal in Africa is to develop the capacity of governments to reduce poverty.
The pair write: “It is encouraging that he recognizes the need for Africa to increase its ability to govern itself in ways that promote prosperity, and that he is doing something to help.”
How successful do you think Mr. Blair will be as a philanthropist?
