The Overseas Development Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Watkins as its new Executive Director.
Kevin Watkins is
a nonresident senior fellow with the Center for Universal Education at
Brookings. Previously, he was the director and lead author of UNESCO’s Education
for All Global Monitoring Report after serving for three years as the
director of the UNDP Human Development Report, where he led the research on
reports covering the Millennium Development Goals, water and climate change.
Prior to working with the United Nations, he worked for thirteen years with
Oxfam, where he authored major reports on African debt, international trade and
Oxfam’s Education Report. He has written extensively on a wide range of
development issues for the international media.
In addition to his work at Brookings, Kevin is a Senior Visiting Research
Fellow with the Global Economic Governance programme at University College,
Oxford University. He holds a BA in Politics and Social Science from
Durham University and a doctorate from Oxford University. His research focuses
on education, globalization and human development.
Commenting on the new appointment, James Cameron, ODI Chair,
said:
“The Board is delighted to have found an outstanding individual,
respected and admired in his field who has the capacity to lead ODI across new
frontiers in development thinking and research.”
In response, Alison Evans, current ODI Director,
commented:
“This is an exciting time to be leading ODI and Kevin is a
terrific choice. He brings experience, vision and a global reputation to the
role. I wish him every success”.
On his appointment, Kevin Watkins, Executive Director
designate, said:
"I am
absolutely thrilled to be joining ODI. We are at a critical juncture in
international development and ODI is uniquely well placed to inform the debates
and influence the policies that will shape the future. Following Alison is a
daunting prospect but I look forward to working with colleagues to build on her
achievements.”