The company was forced to 'declare bankruptcy'. [=to formally say in a legal document that it was bankrupt]
He 'declared' himself the winner. = He 'declared' that he was the winner. = He 'declared victory'.
His 'declared' [=publicly stated] aim/goal/intention is to improve the city's downtown area.
(..) Writers are competitive. I'm not gonna be competitive with you. You're too self-effacing. It's not manly. If you're a writer, declare yourself the best writer! But you're not, as long as I'm around. Unless you want to put the gloves on and settle it? No, I don't. Hey, I'm not gonna read your novel, (..)2011 Midnight in Paris