Rowan Williams to become new chair of Christian Aid board

Posted Dec 11, 2012

[Christian Aid] Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is to become chairman of the board of trustees of Christian Aid, the international development agency, next year.

Announcing the appointment today, Christian Aid director Ms Loretta Minghella, said:

‘Archbishop Rowan brings a passionate interest in tackling the symptoms and causes of poverty, a profound theological understanding, and deep experience of addressing issues of environmental, economic and social justice with church and political leaders across the world. This is wonderful news for Christian Aid.’

Dr Williams steps down as Archbishop of Canterbury at the end of December 2012 and in the New Year takes up a new role as Master of Magdelene College, Cambridge. At Christian Aid he succeeds Dame Anne Owers who completed her term of office as chair of Christian Aid in November.

Comment from Dr Rowan Williams

Commenting on his appointment, Dr Williams said:

‘I am very honoured indeed to be invited to chair the board of Christian Aid. I had hoped very much to be able to continue some regular involvement in support and advocacy in the area of international justice and development, and this will allow such an involvement to flourish.

‘Many years of co-operation with and support for Christian Aid have made me familiar with the excellent quality of all that they do, and I am personally very happy indeed to be working with them in this new role at a time when international development issues will need the most dedicated and sustained attention.’

Appointment process

The appointment process was led by Kumar Jacob, acting chair of Christian Aid’s board, and culminated in a process of approval this week by Christian Aid’s sponsoring churches.

Mr Jacob said: ‘Archbishop Rowan’s leadership on issues of international development and the role of churches in the fight against poverty across the world has been exceptional.

‘I believe we have found in him the perfect chair for the organisation at this time and a great custodian for the British and Irish churches’ continuing work in tackling the scandal of poverty through their support for Christian Aid.’

Dr Williams will take up his position in May 2013. Kumar Jacob will continue as acting chair meanwhile.

For more information please call Andrew Hogg +4420 7523 2058 / +447872 350538.

Read more about Dr Williams and the Christian Aid board.

 


 

Notes to editors

  1. Christian Aid works in some of the world’s poorest communities in around some 50 countries at any one time. We act where there is great need, regardless of religion, helping people to live a full life, free from poverty. We provide urgent, practical and effective assistance in tackling the root causes of poverty as well as its effects.
  2. Christian Aid has a vision, an end to global poverty, and we believe that vision can become a reality. We believe that the underlying causes of poverty were made by, and can be ended by, human action. Our strategy for building the power of us all to end poverty is embodied in a new report ‘Partnership for change’ (PDF).
  3. Christian Aid is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of 125 churches and church-related organisations that work together in humanitarian assistance, advocacy and development. Further details at actalliance.org
  4. Follow Christian Aid’s newswire on Twitter: twitter.com/caid_newswire
  5. For more information about the work of Christian Aid visit christianaid.org.uk.

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