Sir James R. Mancham, KBE - PhD
Founding President of the Republic of Seychelles
President of the Global Peace Council of the Universal Peace Federation
MANCHAM Sir James Richard Marie
(B. Sey. 11.08.39) – KBE – PhD (Honorary).
Founding President of the Republic of Seychelles. President of the Global Peace Council of the Universal Peace Federation.
Education: Seychelles College; Wilson College (London); Council of Legal Education (London 1958 to 1961); Called to the Bar (Middle Temple, London 1961); Auditeur Libre a la Faculté de Droits es Sciences – Economiques, University of Paris (1962); International Institute of Labour Studies, Geneva (1968).
Career: Barrister and Attorney-at-Law, before Supreme Court of Seychelles (1963 to 1967); Founded Seychelles Democratic Party 1964; Member of Seychelles Governing Council (1967); Leader of Majority Party (1967); Member of Seychelles Legislative Assembly from 1964 to 1970 (Three times elected); Member of the Executive Council 1964 up to Self-Government; Led Seychelles Democratic Party to the Seychelles Constitutional Conferences in London (1970 and1976). Pioneered International Tourism to Seychelles – was first person to disembark from a wide bodied plane in Seychelles (BOAC VC10 – 4th July 1971). First Chief Minister (1966); First Prime Minister (1976); Founding President of the Republic on 29th June 1976; A victim of Coup d’Etat of 5th June 1977, when in London to attend Commonwealth Heads of State Conference and to celebrate the Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II; Lived in exile with London base from June 1977 to April 1992, when he returned to Seychelles to contribute to the country’s return to multi-Party Democracy. Recently Sir James has been listed as a mediator and arbitrator with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland.
During his term as Chief Minister, Prime Minister and later President – Sir James attended several Conferences under the aegis of – American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) – The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) – The United Nations (UN) – Association International des Parle-mentaires de Langue Française (AIPLF) and was the keynote speaker at UNESCO Summit in Nairobi, Kenya in 1977.
Years in Exile (1977–1992): During his years in exile in London was active as an International Trade Consultant; Joint-Venture Specialist and Entrepreneur; President of Berlin European Airways (1987 to 1990); President of International Promotion Marketing and Development Ltd. (IPMD Ltd.); Director Pembroke Capital Aircraft (Shannon) Ltd.; Consultant Mercandia Shipping BV LTd.; Consultant to Midland and Scottish Resources (Oil Exploration) Ltd.; Consultant to Germania Flugg GMBH of Germany. In fact, since 1965 he has been a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Art Manufacture and Commerce of the United Kingdom. Also whilst in exile, he founded The Crusade for Restoration of Democracy in Seychelles and was Lecturer on “The Struggle for Power in the Indian Ocean,” to U.S. and European Universities, Civil Organisations and on the Cruise Ship “Lindblad Explorer.” He also spoke in 1992 at the Heritage Foundation and Washington Press Club in Washington, D.C., USA and at the Cambridge Union Society in the UK.
Return to Seychelles from 15+ years of exile in UK: On his return to Seychelles on the 12th of April 1992, he proclaimed himself “Apostle of National Reconciliation” and has acted since as a statesman in the internal political process – seeking to promote National Reconciliation and promoting the concept of Seychelles First through the mouthpiece of his monthly magazine the Seychelles Review/Le Revue de Seychelles.
Recently Participated:
1996 – Food Security Population & Development Conference – FAO – Geneva, Switzerland.
1996 – Lecturer on the Geo-Politics of the Indian Ocean at the International University of Japan – Niagata, Japan.
1998 – Conference on Challenges of Demilitarization of Africa – Arusha, Tanzania.
1999 – African Leadership International Conference on Regional Security Protocols and Demilitarization in Africa at Abasanjo Farm in Ota, Nigeria.
2000 – Keynote Speaker on the theme “World Peace and the Role of Island Nations in the New Millennium” at the Annual Conference of the Federation of Island Nations for World Peace in Seoul, Korea
2000 – Keynote Speaker at the AfriCando Conference organized by The Foundation for Democracy in Africa (May) – Miami, Florida – USA.
2000 – Assembly 2000 held at the U.N. to discuss the future of the International Organisations (August) – New York - USA.
2000 – Keynote Speaker on “Good Governance in Africa” at the 22nd Annual Round Table Conference of the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM) – (November), Mahé, Seychelles.
2001 – The Year 2001 Convocation of World Leaders held at the U.N. by the Summit Council for World Peace (January) – New York – USA.
2001 – Keynote Address on “Island Nations and the U.N. - in Partnership for World Peace” organized by the Federation of Island Nations at the Hilton Hotel (January) – New York City – USA.
2001 – Keynote Speaker at International Symposium “Serving Nation – Serving the World” (May) – New York – USA.
2001 – Visited China as the official guest of the Chinese People Friendship Association.
2001 – Keynote Speaker at the Summit Council of World Peace Conference on “Global Violence: Crisis and Hope” – (October) – New York City – USA.
2002 – Assembly 2002 – “The Search for Solutions to Critical Global Problems” – (February) – Seoul, Korea.
2002 – IIFWP Convocation – “Governance and the Role of Religion in Peace and Security” – (September) – New York City – USA.
2003 – World Summit on Leadership and Governance – (February) – Seoul, Korea.
2003 – Guest Speaker at the Middle East Peace Initiative Conference – sponsored by IIFWP, Washington Times and United Press International – (February) – Washington, D.C. – USA.
2003 – “Dialogue among Civilizations: Quest for a New Perspectives” Conference sponsored jointly by Indian Government and UNESCO – (July) – New Delhi – India.
2003 – The World Association of Non-Governmental Organisation (WANGO) Conference – (September) – Thailand – Bangkok.
2003 – Launching of the Interreligious and International Peace Council (IIPC) – (October) – New York City – USA.
2003 – Keynote address on the theme “Enforceable International Law is the Need of the Hour” at the 4th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World – (December) – Lucknow – India.
2003 – The Middle Peace Initiative Symposium in Jerusalem sponsored by the Interreligious and International Peace Council – (December) – Israel/Palestine.
2004 – Conference on Good Governance for a World in Crisis – (January) – Seoul – Korea.
2004 – Participated in The IIPC: “Forging a Path to Peace at a Time of Global Crisis” Conference – (April/May) – Seoul – Korea.
2004 – The IIFWP Assembly 2004 World Culture and Sports Festival 2004 – (July) – Korea.
2004 – The World Industrial and Commercial Organisations Summit – (September) – Beijing – People’s Republic of China.
2005 – The Mauritius Symposium on “Universal Values and Lasting Peace: Towards a new Model of Global Governance” – (January) – Mauritius.
2005 – The 5th World Summit on “Leadership and Good Governance” – (February) – Seoul – Korea.
2005 – The IIFWP regional Preparatory Meeting – (June) – Addis Ababa – Ethiopia.
2005 – 6th World Summit on “Leadership and Good Governance” – (June) – Tokyo – Japan.
2005 – IIFWP Assembly 2005 as part of the World Culture and Sports Festival 2005 – (July) – Seoul – Korea.
2005 – Launching of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and nominated Chairperson of its Presiding Council – (September) – New York – USA.
2005 – The International Symposium on “National and Inter-Ethnic Reconciliation and Religious Tolerance in the Western Balkans” – (October) – Belgrade – Yugoslavia.
2005 – WANGO (World Association of Non-Govermental Organisations) Annual Conference 2005 – (November) – Santo Domingo – Dominican Republic.
2005 – Keynote Speaker at the Maldivian Democratic Party’s Congress – (December) – Male – The Republic of Maldives.
2006 – The 1st Assembly of the Universal Peace Federation – (February) – Seoul – Korea.
2006 – Delivered welcoming remarks to audience of 70,000+ at World Youth Festival Rally (February) – Cheong Pyong, Korea.
2006 – UPF Asia-Pacific Islands Summit “Towards a Regional Peace Council of Asia-Pacific Island Nations – (March) – Tokyo, Japan.
2006 – Delivered Congratulatory Remarks to 50,000+ audience at Chiba City International Conference Centre – (March) – Chiba, Japan.
2006 – Launching of World Future Council – (May) – Geneva – Switzerland.
2006 – World Peace Summit – (June) – Seoul – Korea.
2006 – The E.C.P.D. Study Group on Peace and Reconciliation in the Balkans – (June) – Sveti Stefan – Montenegro.
2006 – Delivered welcoming remarks at First Anniversary of UPF at the Lotte Hotel (September) – Seoul, Korea and elected President of the Global Peace Council of the UPF.
2006 – E.C.P.D. International Conference “National Reconciliation, Ethnic and Religious Tolerance in the Balkans (October) – Belgrade, Serbia.
2007 – World Summit on Peace - “Forging New Alliance in a Time of Global Conflict” – (February) – Seoul, Korea.
2007 – Leadership in a World in Crisis Seminar – (February) – Yeong Peong, Korea.
2007 – Attended World Future Council Founding Congress in Hamburg, Germany, where I became Member of the Board of Advisors – (9th-14th, May).
2007 – Attended the European Centre for Peace and Development (ECPD) Study Group on National Reconciliation and Human Security in the Western Balkans, Prizren, Kosovo – (12th June).
2007 – Invited to attend the 25th Anniversary of The Washing-ton Times Foundation + Conference - “American Leadership at a Time of Global Crisis” – (May) – Washington, D.C., USA.
2007 – Attended World Culture and Sports Festival in Seoul, Korea – (3rd-10th, July).
Decoration & Award: Honorary Citizen of Dade County Florida, U.S.A. (1963); Honorary Citizen of New Orleans, U.S.A. (1964); Elected Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts Manufacture and Commerce (1968); Certificate of Merit – International Who’s Who in Poetry 1974; Officier de l’Ordre National Française de la Légion d’Honneur 1976; Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE 1976); Grand Medaille de la Francophonie 1976; Grand Medaille de Vermeille de la Ville de Paris 1976; Quiaad-i-Azam Gold Medal (Pakistan) 1976; Gold Medal City of Pusan (Republic of Korea, 1976); Patron of the Fourth Pan–African Ornithological Congress (Seychelles 1978) Gold Medal for Tourism, Mexico, 1977; Gold Medal of Chamber of Commerce and Industries of France 1977; Gold Medal Excellence Européenne “En Homage a ses Mérites Exceptionels” 1977; Honorary Trustee Cary-Anne Lindblad Interprids Foundation 1986; Plaque of Appreciation Rotary Club of Manilla, Philippines 1987; Chevalier Chaines Rotisseur 1993; Member of the International Palm Society 1994; Gold Medal Manucipality of Dubai 1995; Gold Medal City of Bombay 1996; Honorary Member of the International Consultative Board of the Institute of Strategic Studies and Development of Bracakaric University, Yugoslavia 1997; Judge of Miss World Beauty Pageant (Royal Albert Hall, London 1975); (Plantation Club, Seychelles 1997); Awarded Trophy of the Foundation for Democracy in Africa for the promotion of Peace, Reconciliation and Prosperity in Africa (Miami, Florida May 2000) and designated as ‘Ambassador for Peace’ by the International Federation for World peace (New York City May 2001). Awarded the Leadership and Good Governance Award of the IIFWP in August 2004 (Seoul, Korea). Made Grand Officer of the “L’Ordre Illustre des Chevaliers de Meduse Priory – The World ResidenSea – (Seychelles 28th January 2005). Appointed Member of the Advisory Board of the International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) – (January 2005). Awarded Doctorate of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) of the Sun Moon University of Korea (February 2005). Awarded an Honorary Professorship of the Kazakh National University of Technology in Almaty, Kazakhstan (July 2005). Presented with Gold Medal of the region of Kostroma, Russia (August 2005). Elected Member of the Academic Council of the European Centre for Peace and Development (June 2006). Nominated Visiting Professor of the UN Peace University of Belgrade. Made Director of the Intershore Consult Group Ltd – (February 2007).
Media and Publications: Between 1965 to 1970 was Reuters and Associated Press correspondent. Founded the Seychelles Weekly in 1964. In 1974 featured in a one hour BBC T.V Documentary (Life Style Series) hailed as “Hurricane Jimmy.” Personally released DVD - Footprints on the Sands of Time in January 2007. Otherwise books by him are:– Reflections and Echoes from Seychelles 1972; L’air des Seychelles 1974; Island Splendour 1980; Paradise Raped 1983; Galloo – The Undiscovered Paradise 1984; New York’s Robin Island 1985; Peace of Mind 1989; Adages of an Exile 1991; Oh, Mighty America 1998; Who’s Who in Seychelles 1999; Images of Yesterday May 2001; Tel est mon destin – Je fais mon chemin; War on America – Seen from the Indian Ocean (December 2001). Co-edited in 2003 volume – The Future of Peace in the Twenty-First Century published by Carolina Academic Press – NC2770 – USA under the aegis of The Eleanor Roosevelt Institute for Justice and Peace – Washington, D.C. – USA; Personalities of Yesterday – (December 2005).
Clubs: Member of Royal Automobile Club, Harrys Bar, Anabelle, Les Ambassadeurs, Wig & Pen (London), Intrepids (New York), “Circle St. Germain” (Paris), Le Club d’Europe (Dusseldorf); Inter-Continental Hotels – Six Continents Club (Ambassador’s level); Platinum Member of Starwood Preferred Guest - Gold Card Member of Hilton International; Associate Member of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (N.Y.) – Member of the National Geographic Society (Washington DC).
Hobby and Recreation: World traveller, swimming and fishing, reading and writing. Collector of Seychelles memorabilia - stamps, notes and coins.
Family: Eldest son of the late Richard Mancham and Evelyn Mancham, MBE (nee Tirant); Married in 1963 Heather Jean Evans (marriage dissolved 1974) – one daughter (Caroline), one son (Richard). Married 1985 Catherine Olsen – one son (Alexander).
Address: P.O. Box 29, Mahé, Seychelles.
E-mail: surmer@seychelles.net [1]
Tel : (248) 241 717 – Fax: (248) 241 545
