Dr. Lloyd Axworthy
Dr. Lloyd Axworthy is Chair of the World Refugee Council and one of Canada’s leading voices on global migration and refugee protection. The Council, comprised of political leaders, experts and human-rights activists, recently launched a plan at the United Nations for reform of the international refugee system.
Dr. Axworthy retired as President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Winnipeg following two full terms (10 years) in June 2014. He graduated in 1961 with a BA from United College (now The University of Winnipeg), and received an MA and PhD from Princeton in 1963 and 1972 respectively.
Dr. Axworthy’s political career spanned 27 years, during which he served in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly then in Federal Parliament for 21 years. He held several Cabinet positions, notably Minister of Employment and Immigration, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Minister of Transport, Minister of Human Resources Development, Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1996-2000. Upon leaving public office, Dr. Axworthy served as Director and CEO of the Liu Institute for Global Issues at the University of British Columbia, prior to his appointment at The University of Winnipeg.
In the Foreign Affairs portfolio, Dr. Axworthy became internationally known for his advancement of the human security concept, in particular, the Ottawa Treaty – a landmark global treaty banning anti-personnel landmines. For his leadership on landmines, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. For his efforts in playing a pivotal role in establishing the International Criminal Court and the Protocol on child soldiers, he received the North-South Prize of the Council of Europe.
