Federal Liberal cabinet minister Lloyd Axworthy will join UBC's Liu Centre for the Study of Global Issues.
"To attract one of Canada's most senior statesmen is a tremendous achievement for UBC" says UBC President Martha Piper. "Mr. Axworthy's experience and contacts, his strong academic background, including his PhD from Princeton, his international profile, and his commitment to advancing important global issues will help position the Liu Centre as an academic leader in global affairs."
Axworthy's role will be in the development of research, policies and partnerships aimed at solving many of the most pressing global issues, such as governance, environmental change, sustainability, and human security.
"One of UBC's key goals is to recruit and retain outstanding people," says Barry McBride, vice-president, Academic. "The incredible skills Lloyd Axworthy brings will complement the expertise of our internationally-renowned faculty who will participate in the activities of the Liu Centre."
Twenty faculty members are affiliated with the Liu Centre. Their expertise ranges from global environmental change to international relations, sustainable development, human rights, health issues, soil and water pollution and international regulatory regimes.
In addition, the Liu Centre has established a 15-member, senior-level International Advisory Council, chaired by Maurice Strong, the former executive director of the UN Environment Council.
"This interdisciplinary approach will create knowledge that could not have emerged from the perspective of any one discipline," says Frieda Granot, dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies within which the Liu Centre is based.
Axworthy will attend the inaugural conference and opening ceremonies of the Liu Centre, Sept. 20-22. The program consists of an academic symposium, a round table discussion on global issues and the Liu Centre vision, formal opening ceremony and International Advisory Council Meeting.
The Liu Centre for the Study of Global Issues will be housed in a building made possible by Dr. Jieh Jow Liou--a distinguished international businessman and philanthropist--and his family.