Ex-minister to chair Commonwealth Foundation-President congratulates Simone de Comarmond |08 October 2008

“The Seychellois nation rejoices at her appointment,” he said.

“Her appointment is an international recognition of all her accomplishments in Seychelles, as well as recognition of the leadership role that Seychelles is capable of assuming on the international stage.

“I am sure the post at the Commonwealth Foundation will serve as an inspiration to up-and-coming young Seychellois who, like Ms de Comarmond, are dedicating their work to the wellbeing of their fellow citizens.”

Ms de Comarmond was elected by the foundation’s board of governors at a specially convened meeting at Marlborough House, London, last Thursday.

The only woman in the poll, Ms de Comarmond was chosen over three other candidates from Gambia and Zambia for the post.

She will start her two-year term on January 1 next year and succeeds Professor Guido de Marco of Malta.

When told of her election, Ms de Comarmond said: “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.

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

Ms de Comarmond is not new to the Commonwealth as back in 1994 she was part of the working team that set up the Commonwealth Association of Public Administration and Management, which she served from 1995 to 1998 as a founding member of its board of directors.

She was also the local focal point of the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation in her capacity as head of the public service.

Also on the international scene, she was instrumental in getting Seychelles elected on to the executive board of Unesco, as well as the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organisation. She was herself elected chairperson of the Indian Ocean Tourism Organisation from 2000 for three years.

As for her civil society experience, Ms de Comarmond has been, since 2005, chairperson of the Forum for African Women Educationalists, which is based in Nairobi, Kenya. As a founding member of this organisation, whose mission is to promote girls’ education in Africa, she played a leading role in setting up its national chapter, the Seychelles Association of Women Professionals.

A well-travelled person, Ms de Comarmond, 54, has served the government of Seychelles for 31 years. Her long spell in public service culminated in her appointment as a government minister in 1989 after she had previously served as permanent secretary and secretary of state in the President’s Office.

During her 14 years as minister, Ms de Comarmond, who is also a member of the central committee of the ruling SPPF party, held the portfolios of tourism and transport and education.

Established by heads of governments in 1965, the Commonwealth Foundation is mandated to strengthen civil society in achieving Commonwealth priorities – democracy and good governance, respect for human rights and gender equality, poverty eradication and sustainable, people-centred development, and promotion of arts and culture.