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7 June, 2006: The Board of Trustees of the Center for International Forestry Research is delighted to announce the appointment of Frances Seymour as the Center’s next Director General.
Ms Seymour is currently Director of the influential Institutions and Governance Program of the World Resources Institute. She will replace David Kaimowitz who will soon step down after five years as Director General. She will be responsible for leading CIFOR’s global activities and their focus on the sustainable use of forest resources to fight poverty and protect the environment in tropical Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Ms Seymour has had a highly successful career in forestry and development issues with the World Resources Institute, World Wildlife Fund, Ford Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development. She has worked in a variety of tropical countries and is particularly noted for her ability to make research relevant to policymakers and practitioners.
Commenting on her appointment, Ms Seymour said she was excited by the prospect of leading one of the world’s most highly regarded forestry research institutes. She said ‘CIFOR’s talented staff, committed Board, and impressive network of partners combine to provide an extraordinary opportunity to influence how forests are managed for people around the world. I am deeply honored by this appointment, and am eager to contribute my energies toward realizing CIFOR’s important mission.’
Angela Cropper, Chair of CIFOR’s Board of Trustees, in announcing the appointment, said ‘Frances Seymour’s skills and experience make her admirably suited to the task of leading CIFOR at a time of change. The world’s forests are under pressure but must play their role in achieving the Millennium Development Goals and the challenges set out in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment’.
Frances Seymour was identified through an extensive international search which attracted 80 candidates from 36 countries.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Greg Clough g.clough@cgiar.org
CIFOR – The Center for International Forestry Research
PO Box 6596 JKPWB, Jakarta 10065, Indonesia
Jl. CIFOR Situ Gede, Sindang Barang, Bogor Barat 16680, Indonesia
Tel Fax +62 (0)251622 100. Mobile +62 (08)128646613
www.cifor.org