Well-Being For All

The Passing of a Great Canadian

Dear Friends:

We have just received some sad news. Lewis Perinbam passed away early this morning , December 12th in Vancouver after fighting a difficult heart condition over the past few months.

Mr. Perinbam was asked by Maurice Strong, the founder of CIDA, to create a program to support Canadian NGOs engaged in international development like World Accord. He did so, taking the reins of the new and budding "NGO Division" in 1969 and moved up to the new position of Vice President in 1974. He remained in that post until the early 90s. After leaving CIDA, he joined the Commonwealth of Learning in Vancouver, eventually becoming its Chair, a position he held until today. Along the way, he was closely associated with many Canadian agencies, including WUSC, CUSO, and CESO. When it began, Mister Perinbam gave strong support to South Asia Partnership which World Accord has been apart of since the 1980's.

As the key architect of Canada's international NGO program with CIDA, he helped hundreds of agencies across Canada. He facilitated the community as he championed development cooperation and civil society for more than 60 years.

Lewis Perinbam was the first advocate of innovation and of giving everyone an opportunity to be engaged in international work. His admirable characteristics and his accomplishments in and for the NGO community are legion. We understand there will be a memorial for him in Vancouver on December 28 or 29 and another in the New Year in Ottawa.

His vision will be missed. His legacy remains because of what he made possible. He was truly a great Canadian.

posted by World Accord Staff @ 9:32 AM