Interview with David McDowell: Commonwealth Oral History Project

Interview with David McDowell, conducted 24 June 2014 and 2 July 2014 as part of the Commonwealth Oral History Project. The project aims to produce a unique digital research resource on the oral history of the Commonwealth since 1965 through sixty oral history interviews with leading figures in the recent history of the organisation. It will provide an essential research tool for anyone investigating the history of the Commonwealth and will serve to promote interest in and understanding of the organisation. Biography: McDowell, David Keith. 1937- . Born in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Educated at Victoria University of Wellington. Joined New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), 1959. First Secretary, New Zealand Permanent Mission to the United Nations, 1964-68. Special Assistant to Secretary General, Commonwealth Secretariat, London, 1969-72. Head, UN and African and Middle East Divisions, MFA, 1973. Director of External Aid, MFA, 1973-76. High Commissioner in Fiji, 1977-80. Head, Economics Division, MFA, 1980-81. Assistant Secretary of Foreign Affairs for Asia, Australia and the Americas, 1981-85. High Commissioner to India, Nepal and Bangladesh, 1983-85. New Zealand Permanent Representative to the United Nations, 1985-88. Director-General, Department of Conservation, 1988-90. CEO Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, 1989-91. Ambassador to Japan, 1992-94. Director-General, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Switzerland, 1994-99.