Barbara Ward Lecture 2024: Mafalda Duarte

Our speaker will be:

Mafalda Duarte, executive director of the Green Climate Fund

Join us on Tuesday, 14 May 2024 in person for the latest in our Barbara Ward Lecture Series to celebrate Outstanding Women in Development.

In honour of IIED’s founder Barbara Ward’s pioneering work in sustainable development and the inspiration she gave to many in the field, IIED invites members of the current generation of outstanding women in development to present their thoughts on the pressing issues of our time.

This year we have Mafalda Duarte delivering our lecture. Duarte is the executive director of the Green Climate Fund, the world’s largest multilateral climate fund, since August 1, 2023. For decades, Duarte has challenged business as usual to drive innovative and pioneering development and climate-responsive investments globally.

IIED has followed Duarte’s work with the Green Climate Fund closely and shares the ambition to make sure climate finance reaches those most affected by the climate crises in search of a better climate future for all. We are honoured to have Duarte speaking to the ambition and the challenges facing climate finance and realising the Paris Agreement.

Before her current role, Duarte was CEO of Climate Investment Funds, where she steered a multibillion-dollar portfolio of investments pushing the frontiers of clean energy, sustainable land management and resilience across more than 70 middle and low-income countries.

After her lecture, we will have time for audience questions. Then we will have an informal drinks reception, giving an opportunity for networking and catching up with colleagues.

Alongside the Barbara Ward Lecture we will take this opportunity to launch IIED’s ambitious new ‘Manifesto for a thriving world’ that offers fresh answers and approaches to address the world’s vast and entrenched social, environmental and economic challenges.

As IIED embarks on a new strategy cycle we have identified opportunities for IIED to be more agile and responsive to today’s fast-moving challenges and address big blockers that continue to feed the interconnected crises our world is facing.

Our new manifesto sets out six focused propositions around which IIED will organise its strengths, identifying where IIED and its partners can concentrate efforts to have the biggest impact, catalyse diverse alliances and collaborate much more. IIED envisions opportunities for transformative action, including collaboration with social movements, reforming financial governance, promoting sustainable business models and fostering solidarity-based initiatives between diverse communities, to build a fairer, more sustainable world.

Register your interest

Are you keen to attend the 2024 Barbara Ward Lecture? Submit your details below to join the waiting list and get more details.

About attending

When

Tuesday, 14 May 2024, 6.30-8.30pm (BST)

This is a free event, and seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please arrive at the venue in good time.

What time do I need to be at the venue?

We will try to start promptly at 7pm and recommend you arrive in time to register from 6.30pm and take your seat. If you haven't checked in before 6.50pm we may offer your place to those waiting for returns.

Do you let in latecomers?

We discourage latecomers and reserve the right to refuse admission in these cases. If there is space in the room, and the event will not be disturbed by late arrivals, then we will allow it.

Is my place guaranteed?

Your registration is not an absolute guarantee of a place in the lecture theatre.

Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis for those with tickets. Not everyone who books uses their ticket, so, to ensure a full house, we offer more tickets than there are places.

This method usually leads to a full room, but on rare occasions we may be a few places out. Please do arrive in good time to take your seat before the start time to avoid disappointment.

What is the informal drinks reception?

After the lecture we will host an informal drinks reception, giving an opportunity for networking and catching up with colleagues.

During the reception we will offer drinks, canapes and nibbles that will be vegetarian, with vegan and gluten-free options.

Do I need to bring a ticket to get in?

Registration is via Eventbrite. When you register you will get a confirmation email with a PDF attachment that is your ticket. Please present this ticket when you arrive. You can either print out the PDF ticket or keep the email on your mobile phone and show us the attachment when you arrive. Tickets are not transferrable.

If you misplace your ticket, need to make any changes to your order, or are unable to attend, please email us at director@iied.org by Friday 10 May.

Where can I contact the organisers with questions?

If you have any questions about attending the 2024 Barbara Ward Lecture, please email us at director@iied.org.

Access for people with disabilities

The venue is accessible for wheelchair users. There is a hearing loop for those who need it. If you require any assistance in accessing the event, please let us know on the order form.

Assistance/guide dogs are welcome.

The venue offers three disabled parking spaces, which must be pre-booked. If you would like to book a parking space, email Julie Hill (julie.hill@iied.org) as soon as possible.

About data protection

The information you provide will be held on our database to process your booking. We do not share data with any third parties. Please let us know if you do not want to receive any further information from us.

Photography and videotaping

This event will be photographed, and/or videotaped on behalf of the organiser(s) for display, distribution, and broadcast, including on television and the world wide web. By attending or participating in this event, you are giving your consent to be photographed and/or videotaped and waive any claims regarding the use of your image or contribution.