I WAS recently bestowed the privilege of an audience with Hillary Clinton - American politician and diplomat, former first lady and presidential candidate.

Not only do I admire the work this woman has done in the world of politics, but the way she is influencing the approach to children’s rights far outside America is inspirational.

In 2017 Mrs Clinton, who has Welsh lineage, was presented with an honorary doctorate by Swansea University and its law school was renamed the Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law.

She was back in Swansea to discuss the new Hillary Rodham Clinton PhD research scholarships, which will seek to deepen global understanding of the rights of children.

She met with staff to discuss the programme and its priorities, from climate change and migration to terrorism and cyber threats.

Later in the day Mrs Clinton held a question and answer session with key partners.

For me an important element was how organisations must work together to identify and address such issues from all angles.

With my council, Welsh Local Government Association and Local Government Association hats on, and of course as a former teacher, it was interesting and though provoking to hear about how such wide ranging factors are influencing future generations.

I am proud and excited that important research in this area is being driven forward in Wales and that we as organisations have a real opportunity to inform, contribute and benefit from this expertise.

In Newport we are more than aware of some of the base level factors that affect our younger generations – from poverty, care and support, to access to a good education.

These are things that we are tackling as an authority – now with a real focus on preventative measures – doing everything we can to ensure young people get the best positive start in life.

But it is more important than ever to think of the wider impact of our decisions, and this has certainly been amplified through the Welsh Government’s Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.

Its aim is to improve the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of Wales and it prompts us as decision makers to look at not just the impact here and now, but also long term and on other services, communities and generations.

As a country we are leading the way and it seems only fitting that we work with an individual such as Mrs Clinton and the expertise she is building around her on an international scale.