OmniTRAX/Broe Quest Series

The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy
PC, OC, OM, PhD

President, The University of Winnipeg

On May 1, 2004, Lloyd Axworthy became The University of Winnipeg’s sixth President and Vice-Chancellor. His installation took place on June 6, 2004 at The University of Winnipeg’s 77th Convocation.

Previously, Dr. Axworthy was the director of the Liu Institute for Global Issues at The University of British Columbia. Canada's Foreign Minister from 1995 to 2000, Dr. Axworthy's political career spanned 27 years, six of which he served in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, and 21 in the Federal Parliament. 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.

Dr. Axworthy is internationally known for his advancement of the human security concept. In particular, he is noted for 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 establishing the International Criminal Court and the Protocol on child soldiers, he received the North-South Institute's Peace Award.

Among his prestigious awards and honours, Dr. Axworthy is also the recipient of the Senator Patrick J. Leahy Award, presented by the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, in recognition of his leadership in the international effort to outlaw landmines, to end the use of child soldiers, and to bring war criminals to justice. Princeton University awarded him the Madison Medal for his record of outstanding public service, and he also received the CARE International Humanitarian Award. He was elected Honorary Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has been named to Order of Manitoba and to the Order of Canada. He holds honorary doctorates from Lakehead University, University of Victoria, University of Denver, Niagara University, The University of Winnipeg, Queen's University, Dalhousie University, McMaster University, and the University of Manitoba.

Currently, Dr. Axworthy holds positions on several boards and companies. He is a board member of The University of Winnipeg Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, Human Rights Watch (where he chairs the Advisory Board For Americas Watch), Lester B. Pearson College, University of the Arctic, the Pacific Council on International Policy, the Port of Churchill Advisory Board, as well as the Advisory Board of the Ethical Globalization Initiative. Dr. Axworthy is a consultant on trade and international affairs at the law firm of Fraser Milner Casgrain. He also serves as Chairman of the Human Security Centre for the United Nations University for Peace (UPEACE), Co-Chair of the State of the World Forum, Commission on Globalization, and Honorary Chairman of the Canadian Landmine Foundation. He will continue in a senior advisory role with the Liu Institute, assisting in its work and development to address contemporary global issues.

Dr. Axworthy graduated in 1961 with a BA from United College (now The University of Winnipeg), followed by an MA and PhD from Princeton in 1963 and 1972.

Dr. Axworthy remains involved in international matters and lectures widely in Canada, the U.S., and abroad. His book Navigating a New World - Canada's Global Future, Knopf Canada, was released in the fall of 2003.

In February 2004, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan appointed Axworthy as his special envoy for Ethiopia-Eritrea to assist in implementing a peace agreement between the East African countries.

Lloyd Axworthy is married to Denise Ommanney. They have three children.

Lloyd Axworthy can be reached at president@uwinnipeg.ca

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