Profile

Arthur John Hanson is Distinguished Fellow and former President of the International Institute for Sustainable Development in Winnipeg. With strong interests in sustainable use of resources and environment, he consults with many international and Canadian organizations. His areas of specialized expertise include the oceans, biodiversity and sustainable development throughout Asia.

He served as Professor and founding Director of Dalhousie University’s School for Resource and Environmental Studies. In 1994 he was appointed by the Prime Minister to the National Roundtable on Environment and Economy. More recently, he was Ministerial Oceans Ambassador reporting to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (2000-2004), and member of the Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee. He is currently the Chair of the CBAC Working Party on Biotechnology, Sustainable Development and Canada’s Future, and Lead Expert and Member of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development. He holds advisory appointments at the University of Rhode Island, the Global Forum on Oceans and Coasts, and is Honourary Fellow at the Dalhousie University Marine and Environmental Law Institute.

Mr. Hanson graduated from the University of British Columbia (M.Sc. and B.Sc.) and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2003.

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