Advisory - Reinventing the Wheel: Rebuilding Failed States

OTTAWA , Oct. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - "State-building" has moved from the margins to the mainstream: from bold experiments leading to the creation of Timor-Leste and the Republic of Kosovo, to more challenging experiments in Iraq and Afghanistan . Simon Chesterman , a leading expert on international law, will be in Ottawa on October 21 to deliver a lecture at Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC). In his presentation, Dr Chesterman will consider past and future efforts to rebuild failed and fragile states and emphasize that in each instance, many people assumed - wrongly - that it was the first time anything like this had ever happened, and the last time it ever would happen.

    
    Date:        Wednesday, October 21, 2009

    Time:        2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

    Location:    IDRC, 150 Kent (corner of Albert), 8th Floor, W. David
                 Hopper Room
    

Simon Chesterman is Global Professor and Director of the New York University School of Law Singapore Program, and a Professor of Law at the National University of Singapore . His previous positions include Senior Associate at the International Peace Institute and Director of United Nations Relations at Crisis Group in New York. Other experience includes working for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Yugoslavia and interning at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda . Professor Chesterman has written widely on international law, post-conflict reconstruction, and the role of the United Nations.

The event is open to the media. French and English simultaneous interpretation is available. Spaces are limited and journalists are encouraged to register by calling Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé at 613-696-2343.

For more information, visit www.idrc.ca/events.

About IDRC

Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is one of the world's leading institutions in the generation and application of new knowledge to meet the challenges of international development. For nearly 40 years, IDRC has worked in close collaboration with researchers from the developing world to build healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous societies.

For further information: Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé, [phone], [email protected]