Thompson Rivers University will be the venue for a public talk by Diana Youdell, special advisor to the Director General of the Afghanistan Task Force at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 7pm in the Alumni Theatre.

Youdell has recently returned from Afghanistan where she served as Head of Development Programs for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) from Aug. 2006 to Sept. 2007. Under her guidance more than $100 million of CIDA funds were disbursed to support Government of Afghanistan national programs including micro-financing, sustainable livelihood, gender equality, and girls’ education.

Currently on temporary assignment from CIDA, Youdell’s talk in Kamloops is part of a Canadian-wide speaking tour organized by Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT).

Youdell will also be speaking to a number of TRU classes interested in international relations and development and meeting with several TRU departments to find out more about the programs and initiatives the university offers.

“It is great to have Ms. Youdell come to Kamloops,” said Nancy Bepple, the TRU Co-op Coordinator who is organizing the visit on behalf of the TRU Faculty Association Human Rights Committee. “It will not only benefit students, but the entire community, to be able to hear her speak on Canada’s work in Afghanistan.”

Youdell joined CIDA in 1997 as a desk officer in the India/Sri Lanka/Nepal region, she later accepted a position as an education specialist for the South Asia region. Her ability to lead and manage multicultural teams in challenging areas of the world was evident in her supporting role in helping the Government of Pakistan establish technical training schools for unemployed women.

From 2001 to 2006 she worked in Pretoria, South Africa as a development counsellor implementing programs in response to the HIV pandemic, education, and new governance structures.

Contact:
Nancy Bepple
TRU Co-op Coordinator
Telephone: (250) 371-5982
E-mail: nbepple@tru.ca