John R. Gagain Jr.

Lic. John R. Gagain Jr. was named by Dr. Leonel Fernández, president of the Dominican Republic, as the executive director of the Presidential Commission on the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development (COPDES) on September 16, 2004. The COPDES is the first presidential commission ever established for monitoring and evaluating a country’s achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Before COPDES, Mr. Gagain served as director of the Center for the Study of Globalization and representative to international organizations at the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development, an international research-based nongovernmental organization founded by Dr. Leonel Fernández and based in the Dominican Republic. Mr. Gagain was responsible for the foundation’s projects, courses, and literature on globalization, as well as its relations with institutions including the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization.

Additionally, Mr. Gagain was the executive vice-president of the United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic, one of over 100 U.N. associations that exist in countries around the world and form the World Federation of U.N. Associations. Mr. Gagain was responsible for the administration of the association’s finances and development. Mr. Gagain was the coordinator of Model United Nations at the United Nations Association of the USA, where he was editor of the association’s educational publications, including the annual Guide to Delegate Preparation.

Mr. Gagain attended the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, where he focused on international economic policy with a concentration in international trade and Latin American studies. He has written recommendations on U.S. foreign economic policy for Ambassador Richard Gardner, former economic adviser to Al Gore and member of the Clinton Administration’s Advisory Council on Trade Policy and Negotiations.

Additionally, Mr. Gagain is a consultant with the International Institute for Sustainable Development, serving as a writer for the Earth Negotiations Bulletin. He also serves as a member of the U.N. Global Compact’s International Task Force on Networks. Mr. Gagain served as youth delegate adviser for the U.S. Delegation to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance. He graduated from Pace University, where he majored in political science and concentrated in international affairs.

Source: University Programs and Events Planning Resources, September 2008