History
Ai was set up by Ann Pettifor and Janet Bush in 2004, in particular to defend the interests – through effective advocacy – of sovereign debtor governments. We felt that these governments were not making a sound case where it mattered: in rich, creditor countries.
Our first client was the Nigerian Finance Ministry, brilliantly led by Mrs Ngozi Okonjo Iweala. We helped Nigeria’s Debt Management Office develop advocacy strategies in Europe and Asia. With our support, $30 billion of Nigeria’s debt was cleared and $18 billion was cancelled at the Paris Club in 2005. (See Mrs Okonjo Iweala’s testimonial here.)
Since then we have worked for a broad range of clients including local authorities, trades unions, governments, NGOs and charities. Their concerns are wide-ranging: AIDS, maternal survival; enhancing local government; the financial crisis; employment; public services; climate change; energy security – as well as sovereign debt.
Today the leadership team consists of Ann Pettifor, Jeremy Smith and Georgia Lee. But Ai’s ethos remains the same: to use our advocacy, design, communications, production, policy skills and experience to advance our clients’ goals, and through them, promote social and environmental justice.
51 Clarence Gate Gardens
Glentworth Street
London NW1 6QS
Tel.: +44 (0)20 7224 9476
Advocacy International Ltd is a limited company, incorporated in England and Wales.
Its registered office is at 11A Hatch Road, Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, CM15 9PU,
Company Registration No. 5133657
VAT No. GB 853 9354 94.
The Global Fund, Office of Nigerian Debt Management, Operation Noah, Unison, Women Deliver, Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), EcoBuild, Children’s Defense Fund, Party of European Socialists (PES), Nordic Africa Institute, Mondial Nieuws, Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities, European Parliamentary Committee on the Financial Crisis, l’Association française du Conseil des Communes et Régions d’Europe (AFCCRE), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, AIDS-free World, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Heinrich Boll Stiftung, VNG International, Queen Rania of Jordan, WANA Forum, Network of Associations of Local Authorities in Southeast Europe (NALAS), City of Guangzhou, City of Cologne, PLATFORMA, Council of Europe, Options Health Consultancy, Aviva, Securities Commission Malaysia, Global AIDS Alliance