February 20, 2008
No. 40
The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the
appointment of David M. Malone as President of the International Development
Research Centre (IDRC), effective July 1, 2008. He will replace Maureen O’Neil.
“Mr. Malone is an accomplished diplomat and respected scholar,” said Minister Bernier.
“His immense experience in the field as well as in academic research covers areas
such as international economic trends, conflict prevention and human rights. He will be
a great asset to the Centre.”
David Malone joined the Department of External Affairs in 1975 and served in
increasingly senior positions in Ottawa, Cairo, Amman and New York. He is currently
Canada’s High Commissioner to India and non-resident Ambassador to Bhutan and
Nepal, managing Canada’s largest diplomatic mission abroad. From 1998 to 2004, he
was President of the International Peace Academy in New York, an independent
non-profit research organization. He has taught at a number of universities in Canada,
France and the United States and has published numerous books and articles on
international relations.
“I would like to thank Ms. O’Neil for her leadership and significant contribution to the
continued success of IDRC for the past ten years,” said Minister Bernier. “Her career
has been dedicated to the improvement of the lives of people in the developing world.”
IDRC is a Crown corporation created by Parliament in 1970 to help developing
countries use science and technology to find practical, long-term solutions to the social,
economic and environmental problems they face. Support is directed toward building an
indigenous research capacity to sustain policies and technologies that developing
countries need to build healthier, more equitable and more prosperous societies.
IDRC works collaboratively with many federal government departments, especially
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and the Canadian International
Development Agency. Guided by a 21-member international Board of Governors, IDRC
reports to Parliament through the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
For more information on IDRC, consult its website at www.idrc.ca.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
Chantal Schryer
Director of Communications
International Development Research Centre
613-236-6163 ext. 2598
cschryer@idrc.ca
