DOC Research Institute Announces Senior Appointments

RHODES, Greece, September 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

• Pooran Chandra Pandey named as institute's first CEO
• Andrea von Knoop joins DOC Supervisory Board

DOC Research Institute ("DOC", or the "Institute"), an independent international think tank headquartered in Berlin, is pleased to announce the results of a Supervisory Board meeting held on September 29.

Meeting ahead of the formal opening of the 14th annual Rhodes Forum, the DOC's annual flagship public event, the Board named Pooran Chandra Pandey as the DOC's inaugural CEO, and welcomed Andrea von Knoop as a new member of the Supervisory Board. Both appointments take effect immediately.

Pooran Chandra Pandey joins the DOC from UN Global Compact Network India, where he served from 2011 to 2016 as Executive Director. In that role he led Indian companies and other stakeholders in promoting key principles of human rights, anti-corruption, environmental protection and labour standards.

On his appointment, Pooran Chandra Pandey said: "I am excited to be joining this organisation, which has such a key role to play in reducing conflict and tensions in the world, and developing practical solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems through a process rooted in mutually respectful dialogue and an understanding of our common interests and challenges."

"Throughout my career I have sought to address some of the greatest challenges humankind faces - from natural disasters and resource pressure to access to education, empowering marginalised communities, and environmental protection. In this new role I look forward to continuing my work within a new forum. The Dialogue of Civilizations Research Institute has formed at a time in which global tensions are running high, and I believe it has a real role to play in delivering practical positive change."

Andrea von Knoop said: "It is a privilege to be joining the DOC Research Institute as the organisation launches its mission. From my personal experience and involvement in dialogue-based initiatives between East and West I am deeply convinced of the need to foster mutual understanding to tackle the many challenges our world faces today, and look forward to contributing to this process as a member of the Supervisory Board."

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Notes to editors: 

About Pooran Chandra Pandey: 

Pooran Chandra Pandey is one of India's leading experts on advocacy, economic and social development work, management and the voluntary sector. From 2011 to 2016, he served as Executive Director for UN Global Compact Network India. Prior to taking up that post, he was Director at the Times Foundation, one of India's leading corporate foundations working in the areas of health, education, environment, women's empowerment, and disaster management. From 2004 to 2007, he was CEO at Voluntary Action Network India, the country's largest association of voluntary organizations, comprising 2,400 members within India.

Credited with pioneering the notion of involving civil society, businesses and government through a consensus-building approach for inclusive social dividends, Pooran Chandra Pandey has led the launch of national public service campaigns within India such as Lead India, Teach India and the social impact awards.

Specialising both in development and humanitarian assistance, he has also chaired and co-chaired a number of Indian Government task forces and committees developing national policy on the voluntary sector, implementing the UN Handbook, non-governmental charter of good governance, rationalisation of policies for NGOs, and the foreign contribution regulation act.

Pooran Chandra Pandey holds holds a BA and MA from the University of Allahabad, an M.Phil in International Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, and was also a Chevening Scholar in Leadership and Global Organization at the London School of Economics.

About Andrea von Knoop: 

Andrea von Knoop has more than 40 years of business experience between Germany and Russia. She currently serves as Senior Counsel to EY Russia. Previously she was General Director for Management Consulting at Arthur Andersen.

From 1993 through 2007, Andrea von Knoop served as the Head of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce. She has been Chairwoman of the German Business Association in the Russian Federation since its foundation in 1995. Her professional career also includes 13 years of working with major German banks in international business.

Among numerous other awards in both Germany and Russia, she was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (First Class) and the Order of Friendship - the highest decoration in Russia for foreign citizens - by the country's respective presidents.

About DOC: 

Rooted in a tradition of seeking dialogue-based solutions to humankind's most pressing issues, Dialogue of Civilizations Research Institute builds on the work and achievements of its predecessor organization, the World Public Forum Dialogue of Civilizations, bringing together global thought leaders from academia, public policy, business and civil society to debate and develop practice-based policy advice.

The roots of the organization date back to 9 November 2001, following an initiative by Iranian leader Mohammad Khatami, when UNESCO Member States unanimously adopted the 'UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity' and the UN General Assembly presented its Global Agenda for Dialogue Among Civilisations, setting out the principles of intercultural dialogue to be defended and objectives to be achieved. The World Public Forum Dialogue of Civilizations emerged as a practical endeavour to implement this initiative, and has since evolved into what is today Dialogue of Civilisations Research Institute.