Joris Voorhoeve appointed Chair of Oxfam International

Berlin, Oct. 4 2013 – Joris Voorhoeve, a respected authority on peace-building and development, has been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of Oxfam International.

Following a career from 1982 to 1998 as a Dutch Member of Parliament and then minister, Dr. Voohoeve is a professor of international organizations, peace, justice and security at two Dutch universities and co-chair of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict. A Member of the Council of State, he holds a MSc in tropical agriculture and a PhD in international relations.

The Board, meeting in Berlin, recognized Dr. Voorhoeve’s years of contribution to Oxfam both chairing the Board of Trustees of Oxfam Novib and as a Member of the Board of Oxfam International since 2007.

Dr. Voorhoeve has served as Acting Chair since April, when renowned Indian economist Nitin Desai was unable to take up his role as Chair due to illness. Dr. Voorhoeve’s appointment is effective immediately and runs until March 2015. He will step down from the Chairmanship and the Board of Trustees of Oxfam Novib.