In memory of Dermot Shields, who died unexpectedly on 1 June 2024, aged 70.

Dermot spent 45 years working on decentralisation, rural development, forest governance and agricultural programmes around the world that benefit poor people who depend on natural resources for their livelihoods. He was a pioneer in thinking about how we, as citizens, are governed. His work on political deliberation – and working with, not around, politics – challenged the development orthodoxy and inspired a new way of thinking about development. At the heart of all his work was a positive vision of empowered citizens with a voice and a stake in the decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods.

Tree Aid works in Africa to tackle poverty and the effects of the climate crisis by supporting local communities’ forest governance and using local knowledge and expertise to grow trees, improve incomes, and restore and protect their lands.

We think it is the perfect choice for donations in his honour.

https://www.treeaid.org/