David Pratt appointed Canadian Red Cross Advisor and Special Ambassador

(Ottawa, October 26, 2004) — The Canadian Red Cross announced today the appointment of  David Pratt, P.C. as Advisor to the Secretary General and Special Ambassador to the humanitarian organization. In his new role, Mr. Pratt will focus on issues related to conflict prevention, the control of small arms and light weapons, international humanitarian law, war affected children and Red Cross programs in Sierra Leone.

For the past 16 years, Mr. Pratt served as an elected representative at the municipal, regional and federal levels. He was first elected to the House of Commons for Nepean-Carleton in 1997 and from December 2003 to July 2004, he was Canada’s Minister of National Defence.  He served on three cabinet committees: Global Affairs, Canada-U.S. Relations, and Security,  Public Health and Emergencies.

As Canada’s Special Envoy to Sierra Leone under two ministers of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Pratt was involved extensively in legislation to address the “conflict diamonds” issue. Following his missions, he authored two reports :“Sierra Leone: The Forgotten Crisis”, (1999), and  “Sierra Leone: Danger and Opportunity in a Regional Conflict”, (2001).

As a City Councillor, Mr. Pratt participated in an international development project in Sierra Leone in the early 1990’s where he worked with local officials as part of a municipal exchange between the City of Nepean, Ontario, and the Town of Bo, Sierra Leone.

“I am very honoured to become part of the Red Cross, the largest humanitarian network in the world.  As the guardian of the Geneva Conventions in Canada and as an organization that delivers vital programs nationwide, the Red Cross enjoys the profound respect of Canadians,” said Mr. Pratt.

“We are very pleased to have such a dedicated and respected humanitarian join the Canadian Red Cross,” said Dr. Pierre Duplessis, Secretary General, Canadian Red Cross. “Mr. Pratt’s commitment to Sierra Leone—where our organization is making a difference with children affected by war—is deep and genuine. The broad range of local and national issues in which he has been involved will make him an invaluable  asset to our organization.”

The Canadian Red Cross is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world. Since it was established more than 100 years ago, the Canadian Red Cross has become part of the nation’s social fabric, providing disaster relief, water safety programs, first aid training, community home care, violence and abuse prevention services and international assistance. For more information on the Canadian Red Cross, please visit our website at www.redcross.ca.

David Pratt's biography

-30-

For more information or to arrange an interview with Mr. Pratt, please contact:

Posted October 26, 2004