AMBASSADOR JUMA VOLTER MWAPACHU OF TANZANIA ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF SID BY THE NEW GOVERNING COUNCIL

Ambassador Juma Volter Mwapachu (pictured) was until recently Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC) where he oversaw the growth of this regional economic bloc and operationalized many of its key achievements including the East African Customs Union, negotiations for the East African Common Market as well as the expansion of the bloc with the admission of Rwanda and Burundi as members. The East African Community today encompasses Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda as members and has combined population of some 140 million people and GDP of approximately some US$ 140 billion (the fourth largest in Africa). Amb. Mwapachu also chaired the task force of Chiefs Executives of COMESA, EAC and SADC, with the ambitious task of establishing a grand free trade area from the Cape of Good Hope to Cairo. Prior to his appointment to the EAC, Amb. Mwapachu was Tanzania's ambassador to France and has previously held positions in both the public and private sectors.

Amb. Mwapachu holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of East Africa, Dar-es-Salaam (1969) and a Postgraduate Diploma in International Law, International Institutions and Diplomacy from the Indian Academy of International Law and Diplomacy, New Delhi, India. In 2005, The University of Dar es Salaam conferred on Amb. Mwapachu a Doctor of Literature degree (Honoris Causa) and in December 2011, he was awarded Kenya's third highest presidential honour - The Moran of Gold Heart (MGH) - for his outstanding tenure as Secretary General of the East African Community.

Amb. Mwapachu has authored two books: Confronting New Realities: Reflections on Tanzania's Radical Transformation (E&D, 2005) andManagement of Public Enterprises in Developing Countries (Oxford and IBH, 1983). He is also the co-author of two other books: Local Perspectives on Globalization - The African Case (with J. Semboja and E. Hansen, REPOA, 2002) and Towards a New Millennium - perspectives on Tanzania's Vision 2025 (with M. Mwandosya and S.Wangwe, CEEST, 1998).

One of his first tasks as president will be to chair a meeting of the new SID Governing Council that will meet in Rome, Italy between January 20 and 21. This council session will lay the groundwork for SID's strategic plan for the next four years as well as complete the nominations and elections for the vacant officer positions

SID Experience 

Amb. Mwapachu has a longstanding experience in SID having been a founding member of the SID Tanzania Chapter in 1984, its first Secretary General, and a member of the SID International Governing Council. He also led the efforts that saw the 2002 SID International Congress hosted in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. His qualifications and extensive experience in the regional and international political arena as well as his intimate knowledge of the Society position him well to lead and inspire the vision and agenda of SID for the coming years.

Amb. Mwapachu will serve a four-year term as President effective January 1, 2012. He takes over from Jan Pronk of the Netherlands

Governing Council 2012-2015  

The SID Governing Council for the period 2012-2015 comprises: Inés Alberdi (Spain), Larry Cooley (USA), René Grotenhuis (Netherlands), Norbert Noisser (Germany), Jetti Oliver (India), Betty Maina (Kenya), Akwasi Aidoo (Ghana), Benito de Miguel (Argentina), Robin McLay (Canada), Cream Wright (Sierra Leone), Stefano Prato (Italy - ex-officio) and Juma Mwapachu (Tanzania).

source : issamichuzi.blogspot.com