Radio Interview
Listen to a live feature interview about conflict diamonds from TVO's The Agenda (December 5, 2006) with Ian Smillie, Research Coordinator, Partnership Africa Canada.
Run time: 13 minutes.
News Coverage
Diamond Development Initiative Builds on Kimberley - 1 April 2007, IDEX Online Staff Reporter
Diamond Development Initiative Begins - 15 August 2005, Global Policy Forum
Diamond Development Initiative Formed - 9 March 2005, Professional Jeweler Magazine
“Diamonds are associated with positive events in people's lives, any association with anything violent is something that has to be addressed by our industry and has been addressed and will be addressed.”
Cecilia Gardner, World Diamond Council
Press Release - 20 May 2008
DDI releases Standards and Guidelines for Sierra Leone
The Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) announced today the release of its Standards & Guidelines for Sierra Leone’s Artisanal Diamond Mining Sector. The release, in partnership with Sierra Leone’s Network Movement for Justice and Development, is the first comprehensive guide to a sector that was, during the 1990s, plagued by armed rebellion and horrific violence.
Read full document: Press Release - DDI Standards and Guidelines for Sierra Leone - May 2008.pdf
Press Release - 31 January 2008
DDI Appoints First Executive Director
The Board of Directors of DDI International is delighted to announce the appointment of Dorothée Gizenga as the organization’s first Executive Director, with effect from March 17, 2008. Dorothée Gizenga, who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is a Canadian who holds degrees in chemistry and economics. She has worked with the provincial government of Ontario and the Canadian Federal Government, and has worked extensively with community organizations in Canada and Africa. Since 2003, Dorothée Gizenga has worked with Partnership Africa Canada, an international NGO focusing on policy and research in the areas of peace, human security and sustainable development.
Read full document: ED Press Release.pdf
Press Release - 30 January 2008
IDMA Announces JCK Grant for Diamond Development Initiative
The International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) today proudly announced that JCK Shows/JCK Magazine has approved IDMA's application to the JCK Industry Fund for a grant on behalf of the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI). According to Jeffrey Fischer, IDMA President, representatives of JCK Shows and JCK Magazine awarded DDI a grant to further develop its website, www.ddiglobal.org.
Read full document: IDMA Announces JCK Grant Jan 2008.pdf
Press Release - 22 January 2008
DDI Concludes Successful Freetown Workshop on Standards & Guidelines.
A multilateral consultation workshop, organized by DDI, the Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD) and Partnership Africa Canada, took place on January 8 and 9 in Freetown, Sierra Leone to discuss, develop and refine a draft document dealing with "Standards & Guidelines for Sierra Leone's Artisanal Diamond Mining Sector". The workshop brought together senior government officials, mayors, chiefs and paramount chiefs, artisanal miners representatives, labour leaders, diamond dealers and other relevant members of the diamond industry, civil society, donors and representatives from the media, to examine the opportunities and challenges in integrating identified best practices into existing or potential interventions in the artisanal mining sector.
Read full document: DDI Media Release Jan 2008.pdf
Press Release - 23 October 2007
Government of Sweden and Tiffany Foundation provide key startup grants.
The Board of Directors of the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI) is very pleased to announce two important grants that will enable the organization to grow and to expand its work in support of artisanal diamond producers in developing countries. A two-year grant from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, announced Oct. 9, will contribute to elements required to lay the foundations for DDI's sustainability as an organization. The two-year grant, totaling €307,000 (US$436,000) will also provide DDI with funding for projects in support of artisanal diamond producers. A two-year US$325,000 grant to the DDI from The Tiffany & Co. Foundation was announced on Oct. 16. This grant will also significantly contribute to the development of a sustainable foundation for the DDI by providing core operating support for its work. The grant will also provide funds for a standards and guidelines project on artisanal diamond mining.