Danny Faure named chair of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth of Learning |06 March 2023
Former President Danny Faure
Former Seychelles President Danny Faure was named chair of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth of Learning (Col) on March 2, 2023.
As Minister for Education at the Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) held in 2000, Mr Faure mooted the idea of the Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC) and at the following CCEM held three years later, strongly advocated for COL to be the lead agency in implementing this initiative.
He continued his interest and support for VUSSC through other cabinet posts and at international forums as a champion for small states.
Mr Faure became the fourth President of the Republic of Seychelles on October 16, 2016 where he served for four years. During his tenure, President Faure designated 30% of Seychelles’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as marine protected areas (MPAs), making Seychelles a leader in marine protection.
He inspired COL to advance the concept of the blue economy which was still in its infancy at the time.
Mr Faure was recognised by the African Union as ‘Champion for the Development of the Blue Economy’ at the 11th Extraordinary AU Assembly Session in Addis Ababa in 2018. A year later, he was also awarded the National Geographic Society’s prestigious ‘Planetary and Leadership Award’ at a National Geographic Awards Ceremony at the George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Mr Faure is currently the patron and chairperson of the Danny Faure Foundation which was launched in 2021 to promote sustainable development. He was made an honorary member of the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa in 2022.
Mr Faure represented Africa on the COL Board of Governors from January 2014 to December 2016 during his tenure as Vice-President of the Republic of Seychelles.
Press release from the Commonwealth of Learning