James Fraser

James Fraser "is the co-founder and Executive Director of Dignitas International and Dignitas International USA. He is Associate Researcher at the Centre for International Health at the University of Toronto.

"James has committed his professional career to humanitarian and international development work. From 1996-2002, he worked in logistics, program development and management, and monitoring and evaluation with Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in some of the most demanding areas of the world. These include Dagestan, Chechnya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Colombia, Sierra Leone, Kosovo, and Chiapas, Mexico.

"Advocacy based on James’s documenting and reporting of the widespread massacre of refugees in Eastern DRC in 1997 triggered an international response to stop the extreme violations of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. From 2000-2002, James worked to launch MSF Canada’s participation in international operations and to develop psycho-social programming for children affected by armed conflict.

"His achievements continue to grow with the groundbreaking work being done by Dignitas International. In Africa, this young organization is having a profound impact on the lives of thousands of individuals and numerous communities dealing with HIV/AIDS and TB.

"In addition to his work with MSF, James has conducted independent research in El Salvador, Armenia and Azerbaijan, has taught in the International Development Program at Humber College (Toronto) and has lectured at the University of Toronto and Ryerson University.

"James received his Masters degree in Political Science and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Peace and Conflict Studies and International Relations from the University of Toronto. He has been awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary International. In May 2008, James was named a Recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40TM for 2007.

"James frequently speaks publicly on topics of global health, humanitarianism and civil society. He has appeared on CBC’s The Fifth Estate and CBC News Network, i-Channel and Rogers TV."