The Role of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

The establishment of the post of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales is an an important innovation in governance. While a possible criticism of democracy is that it has an inbuilt bias towards the short-term, the role of the Commissioner is to act as a guardian for the interests of future generations in Wales.

Sophie Howe, the current Commissioner, will talk about her role. In February 2016 she became the first person appointed to this office. Prior to her present position, Sophie was the first Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales. She has also served as a Government Special Adviser providing policy and political advice on communities, local government, community safety, housing, regeneration and equality.

With a background in equality and diversity, Sophie chaired and wrote the report of the Councillors Commission Expert Panel on increasing diversity in Local Government. Sophie served as a County councillor in Cardiff - having been elected at the age of 21 she became the youngest Councillor in Wales. She is currently a member of the Wales Committee of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Professor Sarah Birch of the Department of Political Economy will respond. Sarah Birch joined the Department of Political Economy in 2016 as Professor of Political Science, as well as Director of Research. She studies comparative politics and public ethics. Sarah previously held Chairs at the University of Essex and University of Glasgow. She is a fellow of the British Academy and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and an Associate Fellow of the Institute of Public Policy Research.