LLOYD AXWORTHY APPOINTED TO CUSO INTERNATIONAL BOARD
News
April 7, 2014 Ottawa, Canada– Cuso International, one of Canada’s foremost international volunteer organizations, is pleased to announce the appointment of prominent Canadian statesman Lloyd Axworthy, PC, OC, OM to its international Board of Directors. Dr. Axworthy currently serves as the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg and has a distinguished record of public service and leadership both in Canada and internationally. He has been named to the Order of Manitoba and is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Dr. Axworthy served as Director and CEO of the Liu Institute for Global Issues at the University of British Columbia from 2000 to 2004. He is the author of Navigating a New World – Canada’s Global Future (2003). Prior to his academic career, Dr. Axworthy served in the Manitoba Legislature for six years and as a Member of Parliament for 21 years, during which he held numerous senior cabinet posts including as Canada’s foreign minister (1996 – 2000).
Internationally, Dr. Axworthy was a member of the UN Commission on Legal Empowerment of the Poor and is currently of the Aspen Institute Commission on Food Security. His leadership in the creation and signing of the international treaty to ban landmines resulted in being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998. For Dr. Axworthy’s efforts in playing a pivotal role in establishing the International Criminal Court and the Protocol on child soldiers, in 1998 he received the North-South Prize of the Council of Europe.In 2001, he established the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty (ICISS) which developed the UN’s Responsibility to Protect doctrine (2001). Dr. Axworthy is currently in Ukraine as a member of an international mission assessing preparations for the presidential election planned for May in that country.
Dr. Axworthy’s appointment to Cuso International’s volunteer Board is a result of an independent search process. “Lloyd Axworthy has long been a champion of active and effective global citizenship. We are keen to work side-by-side with Dr. Axworthy and build upon his depth of knowledge,” says Cameron Charlebois, Chair of the Board of Directors, Cuso International.
For more than 53 years, Cuso International has worked to reduce poverty and inequality in developing countries around the globe. “Dr. Axworthy’s deep experience and his clear commitment to international development and human rights is a great asset to our team,” says Derek Evans, Cuso International’s Chief Executive. “His understanding of the challenges and opportunities, and his track record of effective innovation, will strengthen the impact of our work.”
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As a leading international development organization, Cuso International works to reduce poverty and inequality in 15 countries around the globe. Cuso International mobilizes skilled professionals to volunteer with local partners and communities to improve education, health, economic development, governance and environmental sustainability. April 6-12 is National Volunteer Week in Canada and United States.
Media contact:
Jennifer Lavoie, Communications Manager, 613-829-7445 x252