Waterloo, Canada — January 14 — The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are working in partnership to explore and recommend future directions for international development, beyond the 2015 Millennium Development Goals.
The joint initiative – to be called Toward a Post-2015 Development Paradigm – is co-directed by CIGI Senior Fellow Dr. Barry Carin, and Under Secretary General for National Society and Knowledge Development at the IFRC Dr. Mukesh Kapila.
“The target date of 2015 for the Millennium Development Goals provides an opportunity to revisit the idea of sustainable development and the definition of success,” said Dr. Carin. “I’m pleased that CIGI and the IFRC are focused on these issues together. Through our alliance we’ll be able to influence key policy makers with recommendations for a post-2015 context.”
Committed to generating new ideas and innovative recommendations, CIGI and the IFRC will address topics including human security and policy coherence, which the G20 and UN High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability can utilise in addressing the future of the Millennium Development Goals.
“In the context of a fast changing world, we must also re-think our paradigms for sustainable development. This is relevant for rich and poor countries alike as today’s’ risks and vulnerabilities know no boundaries,” said Dr. Kapila.
Toward a Post-2015 Development Paradigm will feature two workshops: an IFRC-sponsored meeting in Geneva, Switzerland (February 14-15) and another at the Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Centre in Lake Como, Italy (June 20-24). With an expert panel of international development specialists, the strength, focus, and depth of this partnership is highlighted by support from the renowned Rockefeller Foundation. The findings of this initiative will be published and released later in 2011.
For more information, visit http://www.cigionline.org/project/toward-post-2015-development-paradigm or contact either Dr. Barry Carin, Email: [email protected] or Mukul Bhola, Email: [email protected].
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kevin Dias, Communications Specialist, CIGI
Tel: +519.885.2444, ext. 238, Email: [email protected].
Paul Conneally, Head of Media and Public Communications Unit, IFRC
Tel: +41(0)22.730.4669, Mobile: +41(0)79.308.9809, Email: [email protected].
The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is an independent, nonpartisan think tank on international governance. Led by experienced practitioners and distinguished academics, CIGI supports research, forms networks, advances policy debate and generates ideas for multilateral governance improvements. Conducting an active agenda of research, events and publications, CIGI’s interdisciplinary work includes collaboration with policy, business and academic communities around the world. CIGI was founded in 2001 by Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of RIM (Research In Motion), and collaborates with and gratefully acknowledges support from a number of strategic partners, in particular the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. For more information, please visit www.cigionline.org.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian and development network with nearly 100 million volunteers, members and supporters around the world. The IFRC acts before, during and after disasters and health crises to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. It does so without discrimination as to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. By supporting humanitarian standards, working as partners in development, responding to disasters, and supporting healthier and safer communities, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies help reduce vulnerabilities, strengthen resilience and foster a culture of peace. The IFRC, 186 National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together constitute the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. For more information, please visit http://www.ifrc.org.