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In her address during the convocation ceremony, O’Neil thanked the university for the “extraordinary honour,” and offered some advice to the graduates from the faculty of social sciences. Photo: the University of Ottawa

IDRC’s President, Maureen O’Neil received an honourary social sciences doctorate degree from the University of Ottawa in a ceremony on June 7.

 

“A staunch advocate of empowering citizens, O’Neil is fiercely devoted to economic and social development,” declared the university in a released statement. “Under her leadership, the IDRC has sponsored dozens of projects that have put resources into the hands of those able to connect people, ideas and institutions. It is this type of pragmatic approach that has led to ongoing research for long-term solutions to social, economic and environmental problems faced by developing countries.”

 

In her address during the convocation ceremony, O’Neil thanked the university for the “extraordinary honour,” and offered some advice to the graduates from the faculty of social sciences.

 

“ ‘Footsteps in the sands of time weren’t made while sitting down.’ And so, my advice to you: Take risks. Create new organizations, public or private. Become an entrepreneur. After all, private companies are an important organizational form for giving practical effect to innovation. Or become a social entrepreneur. Not-for-profit associations and networks are the test beds and proving grounds for political innovation and social change.”

 

The university presented honourary doctorate degrees to 10 Canadians who have contributed significantly to their business, their profession, their discipline or their art. Among the 2008 honourees were entrepreneur Daniel Langlois, Canada’s Commissioner of Official  Languages, Graham Fraser, and the Honourable Louise Mailhot, the first woman judge of the Appeal Court of Québec in Montréal.

 

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