CLA-ACE Announces Advisory Board

CLA-ACE is in the process of establishing an Advisory Board composed of Canadians who represent the values of CLA-ACE and because of their unique and distinguished background can provide us with valuable guidance and advice. We welcome the following members and thank each of them for their commitment to CLA-ACE.

Éloge Butera

Éloge C. Butera is a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda and a human rights activist. He is a law student at McGill University and is currently a Sauvé Scholar. Éloge was chosen by the Quebec Government as "young volunteer of the year" (Prix Claude-Masson: Homage Bénévolat Québec) in recognition of his activities organizing and speaking at conferences and commemorative days about genocide and human rights, as well as fundraising for Rwandan charitable organizations. In addition to serving as a leader in various student organizations related to social justice causes, Éloge has also served on the management board of the McGill Law Journal (Associate member, Volume 54). This past summer, Éloge was a summer law clerk to Justice Professor Sam Rugege, Vice President of Rwanda’s Supreme Court.

Pearl Eliadis
Pearl Eliadis is a human rights lawyer, specializing in national institutions and democratic development. She has worked in China, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan and Timor Leste, as well as for the UN in Rwanda. In 2006, she co-authored the UN plan to establish a human rights commission in Iraq. A recipient of the Canada 125 Medal and the 2006 Women of Distinction Award (Montreal), Ms. Eliadis has extensive experience in the public and non-profit sector, including as past Senior Research Director of the Policy Research Initiative, Director of Policy and Education of the Ontario Human Rights Commission and President of Equitas. She is an editor of the Charter and Human Rights Litigation Quarterly, and has authored numerous publications in the area of human rights law.

Jamie Furniss
Jamie Furniss is a graduate of the National Program at the University of Ottawa Law School and is now studying international development at Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship. Prior to Oxford, he clerked for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. Mr. Furniss was the winner of the 2004 World Debating Championship in Malaysia. He is from the Yukon and is a passionate advocate on northern issues.

The Honourable Henry (Hal) Jackman, OC
Hal Jackman served as the 25th Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario from 1991 to 1997. He has served as Chairman of a number of Canadian companies including the Board of National Trust Company and the Empire Life Insurance Company. Mr. Jackman was named Chancellor of the University of Toronto from 1997-2003. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, and Member of the Order of Ontario.

Désirée McGraw
For the past twenty years, Désirée McGraw has worked as a consultant, researcher, reporter and spokesperson in the field of sustainable development, and has been described by the national media as “one of Canada's ten most influential people on environmental issues.” She has worked as a senior policy advisor in international cooperation for the federal government in the areas of sustainable development, stakeholder relations and multilateral organizations. Ms. McGraw has lectured on Sustainable Development and Globalization at McGill University since 2000. She has been involved in politics and election campaigns in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Ms. McGraw is currently the Executive Director of the Sauvé Foundation and its Sauvé Scholars program

Allan Rock, Q.C.
Allan Rock is a lawyer and former Canadian politician and diplomat. He was Canada's ambassador to the United Nations (2004-2006). During his ten years in Parliament, Mr. Rock served in several cabinet positions, including Minister of Justice and Minister of Health. He now practices law with Sutts, Strosberg LLP. Mr. Rock remains involved in international and UN work and recently presented his report to members of the United Nations Security Council concerning the issue of child soldiers in Sri Lanka. Mr. Rock is currently President of the University of Ottawa.