Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Dunford to step down at TBBC

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Wednesday, 31 October 2012 14:14 Mizzima News

Jack Dunford, the long-time executive director of the Thailand-Burma Border Consortium, is stepping down effective next year.

Sally Thompson and Jack Dunford Photo: TBBC

Sally Thompson has been named the new executive director, effective Jan. 1 2013.

The announcement was made on Oct. 17 by Alistair Gee, the chairperson of the TBBC board.

“We all congratulate Sally on her appointment and wish Jack well as he lets go of the reigns after 28 years in the saddle, and moves on to other service and challenges,” said an announcement posted on the TBBC website.

“Jack Dunford’s contributions to promoting and protecting the rights of refugees from Burma is unparalleled and TBB’s debt of gratitude for his decades of service is immense,” said the statement.

Dunford has worked for TBBC since its early days in 1984, and he has been a driving force in creating a network of refugees camps along the Thai-Burma border that is supported by a wide range of international governments and private organizations, in cooperation with the Thai government.

The TBBC has played an integral role in fundraising and advocacy of the needs of Burmese refugees over the decades, working closely with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Recently, there have been consultations with the Thai and Burmese governments about the eventual return of refugees to their native communities, although such plans are in the preliminary stages.

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