Michael Ignatieff Joins the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto as Professor

TORONTO, Sept. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Acclaimed academic, author, and former politician Michael Ignatieff will join the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto this September taking up a half-time faculty appointment as Professor. He will also assume a half-time appointment as Professor of Practice at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) starting in January 2013.

Janice Stein, Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto, announced today that Michael Ignatieff will take up a five year appointment as Professor at the Munk School, effective immediately.  He will be teaching human rights and international politics at the University of Toronto.

"Having Michael Ignatieff at the Munk School is a wonderful opportunity for our students," said Janice Stein. "He brings a deeply global perspective to our biggest policy challenges and will work with our students to give them the analytic skills they need in today's connected world."

Born in Canada, educated at the University of Toronto and Harvard University, Ignatieff has written 17 books, worked as a television presenter and documentary film maker, editorial columnist, and university teacher. He is a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and holds eleven honorary degrees. He was leader of the Liberal Party and leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Commons of Canada between 2009 and 2011.

"I'm honored to be back at the Kennedy School, and I'm delighted to continue to teach young Canadians at the Munk School of Global Affairs," said Ignatieff. "It's a privilege to teach at these great schools of global affairs and public policy."

At the Harvard Kennedy School, Ignatieff returns as Professor of Practice after previously serving as Carr Professor of Human Rights Policy and Faculty Director of the Kennedy School's Carr Center for Human Rights Policy.

David Ellwood, Dean of the Kennedy School, said, "Michael Ignatieff bridges the gap between academic and practitioner. His experience and insights on matters of politics, public policy and human rights bring a unique and invaluable perspective to the classroom. We are very pleased to have him back at HKS."

Ignatieff has written extensively on the legal and human rights considerations influencing military policy and international affairs.  He is the author of many books including "The Needs of Strangers" (1984); "The Rights Revolution" (2000); "Human Rights as Politics and Idolatry" (2001); and "The Lesser Evil: Political Ethics in an Age of Terror" (2004). He is also served on the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty (2001) and helped write its report: "The Responsibility to Protect."

SOURCE: University of Toronto