New Chair appointment for the Commonwealth Foundation

Simone de Comarmond, a former Minister and Secretary of State in the Republic of Seychelles, has been chosen as the new Chairperson of the Commonwealth Foundation, the intergovernmental body of the Commonwealth mandated to work with civil society organisations.

Ms de Comarmond was chosen by the Foundation's Board of Governors by consensus at a specially convened meeting at Marlborough House in London on 2 October 2008. She will begin her two-year term on 1 January 2009. Ms de Comarmond succeeds Professor Guido de Marco of Malta, who has been a distinguished Chair of the Foundation since 2004.

Commenting on the selection, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said: "Ms de Comarmond has a wealth of experience in public life in the Seychelles and internationally, and I am pleased that she will be able to bring this to bear in furthering the important work of the Foundation in advancing Commonwealth civil society, and its own role in promoting democracy, sustainable development and inter-cultural understanding across the Commonwealth."

"At a time when civil society plays an ever more important role in Commonwealth affairs, we look forward to working with Ms de Comarmond, whose international experience will greatly add to our work and impact," said Dr Mark Collins, Director of the Commonwealth Foundation.

Ms de Comarmond was the Minister for Tourism and Transport in Seychelles from 1993 to 2003. She was also responsible for Tourism and Civil Aviation between those times. In those roles, she strived to ensure the tourism policy of Seychelles balanced economic development with environmental sustainability.

As the Minister for Education from 1989 to 1993 she undertook major reform with the restructuring of the academic cycle at primary and secondary level and a review of teachers’ conditions. Prior to her ministerial appointments, she held the role of Secretary of State at the President’s Office. Ms de Comarmond, who was educated in Seychelles and the United States, has also been active in the promotion of opportunities for girls and women in a wide range of organisations, particularly in Africa.

“I very much look forward to being of service to the Foundation, which is a uniquely valuable organisation striving - on behalf of Commonwealth governments - to strengthen civil society and professional organisations in all walks of life,” said Ms de Comarmond when informed of her election.

“There has never been a more important time for citizens to engage closely with their governments in addressing social, economic and environmental challenges.”

Related Websites:

• Commonwealth Foundation