Any serious shift towards more sustainable societies has to include gender equality.

Clark sent troops to the Afghanistan War but did not contribute combat troops to the Iraq War although some medical and engineering units were sent. Clark was Prime Minister and Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage from 1999 until 2008. Clark became the first defeated Labour Prime Minister to immediately resign the party leadership rather than lead it in Opposition.

Her government's other major policies included the Working for Families package increasing the minimum wage 5% a year interest-free student loans creation of District Health Boards the introduction of a number of tax credits and overhauling the secondary school qualifications by introducing NCEA. Her agenda reflected the priorities of liberal internationalism especially the promotion of democracy and human rights; the strengthening of the role of the United Nations; the advancement of antimilitarism and disarmament; and the encouragement of free trade. She resigned from Parliament in April 2009 from her Mount Albert electorate and was replaced by David Shearer current Labour Party leader to take up the post of Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.