-In London
London, UK — Liberia’s Cllr. Charlyne M. Brumskine, a lawyer, politician, and emerging thought leader, represented the country at the Global Progress Action (GPA) Summit in London on Friday, standing out as one of the few African voices at a gathering of progressive leaders from across the world.
The two-day summit convened sitting and former heads of government, policymakers, and activists from nearly 40 countries under the theme of rebuilding the broken social contract and restoring trust between citizens and their governments. Among the high-profile participants were the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Spain, and Iceland, as well as the former Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Sweden.
On a panel focused on renewing the social contract, Brumskine joined Anas Sarwar, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party; Raphaël Glucksmann, Member of the European Parliament; and Pedro Abramovay, Vice President of the Open Society Foundations. The session was moderated by Patrick Gaspard, former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa.
In her remarks, Brumskine emphasized three guiding principles — Dignity, Delivery, and Determination — which she described as essential for bridging the trust gap between governments and their citizens. “If progressive leaders provide these three, they will demolish the distrust divide,” she said.
Brumskine argued that ordinary Liberians, like many people across Africa, are less concerned about ideological labels such as “left” or “right” and more focused on the basics of daily life. “What matters to women in our markets, to mothers in our villages, and to young graduates is this: Will there be food on the table, clean water in the home, electricity that stays on, and a job after school? That is where trust is built,” she told the audience.
Her contribution was both global and deeply personal. She underscored how dignity must include fairness in the justice system, equal opportunity for girls, and respect for women’s voices in politics. On delivery, she highlighted the need for functioning health services, schools, and safe communities. By invoking determination, she spoke to the courage leaders must display to resist corruption, push back against authoritarianism, and advance equity.
Brumskine also issued a pointed challenge to the Summit organizers, noting the limited representation of African leaders at the event. “Europe and America cannot debate migration meaningfully if Africa is not at the table,” she said, stressing that global conversations on migration, security, and democracy remain incomplete without the perspectives of those most directly affected.
Her presence on the international stage, observers noted, carried a wider significance for Liberian women, who have long played pivotal roles in peacebuilding, community organizing, and grassroots leadership. By amplifying their voices at a global forum, Brumskine demonstrated that Liberian women are not only influencing change at home but also helping to shape policy conversations around the world.
For many, her participation at the GPA Summit was a clear signal of Liberia’s growing role in global progressive dialogue — and a reminder that African women leaders are stepping into spaces where decisions with worldwide impact are made.
