Internationally Renowned Experts Join Trinity International Development Initiative’s Advisory Group

Sep 21, 2010

The Trinity International Development Initiative (TIDI) recently announced nine members of its International Advisory Group who were chosen from around the world for their work in and contribution to the field of international development.  The Advisory Group, which will underpin TIDI’s aim to coordinate and promote TCD’s expanded engagement with research and education on global development, was announced on the occasion of the launch of the new TIDI website, www.tcd.ie/tidi.

The TIDI International Advisory Group comprises a host of internationally renowned development figures: Dr Mary Robinson, Chancellor of the University and founder of the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice; Professor Jeffrey Sachs, special advisor to the UN Secretary General; Tom Arnold, CEO of Concern Worldwide; Dr Olive Shisana, CEO of the Human Sciences Research Council in South Africa; Professor Tom Quinn, Director, John Hopkins Centre for Global Health; Professor Finn Tarp, Director of UNU-WIDER, Finland;  Professor Adrian Hill, Director, The Jenner Institute, Oxford University; Professor Nana Poku, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford and Professor Thandika Mkandawaire, Chair in African Development, Development Studies Institute (DESTIN) at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Speaking about the Advisory Group, Professor Jane Grimson, Chair of TIDI said: “We are delighted to have such a high calibre group of individuals working with us and welcome their input over the coming years as TIDI develops and expands.  The combined expertise of our International Advisory Group will be of great benefit to TIDI, in augmenting its vision and building on the solid foundations already in place.  The willingness of the International Advisory Group members to participate in the initiative underlines the importance of TIDI’s role as a focal point for international development at TCD and highlights the significance of TIDI’s role in supporting development research, not only within the college community but nationally and internationally.”

International Advisory Group member, Professor Adrian Hill, Director of The Jenner Institute, Oxford University commented: “I am truly honoured to have been asked and shall look forward to working together with the other members of the Advisory Group in furthering the aims of this important and interesting initiative.”

Throughout the year TIDI produces a programme of events including public lectures, a climate justice seminar series and an annual ‘Development Research Week’.  The first public lecture of the current academic year is scheduled to take place in early October and will feature Professor Thomas Quinn, Advisory Group member and Director of the Centre for Global Health at the John Hopkins University, New York.  The event will be co-hosted by TCD’s School of Medicine.  For further information on TIDI and upcoming events please consult the website.