IDRF's Annual Gala features CBC's 2017 Massey Lecturer Payam Akhavan

TORONTO, Nov. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - On November 17^th, 2017, IDRF (International Development and Relief Foundation) will host its 2017 Gala featuring a Keynote address by CBC's 2017 Massey Lecturer Payam Akhavan.

Each year, the event is an opportunity to thank and celebrate IDRF's supporters. This year, the organization will honour a number of Canadians that have made significant contributions to Canada and abroad.

The IDRF Gala 2017 award recipients are:

Farah Nasser: IDRF Awardee for Woman of Distinction
Adeena Niazi: IDRF Awardee for Humanitarian of the Year
Jamil Jivani: IDRF Awardee for Youth Leadership
Jim Estill: IDRF Awardee for Corporate Social Responsibility

The event will be emceed by well-known media personality, Zaib Shaikh, a former star of CBC's Little Mosque on the Prairie. The Gala will also include dinner, networking opportunities, a Calligraphy Art display, and a red carpet photo booth.

According to IDRF Board Chair, Zeib Jeeva:

"IDRF is so honoured that this year's Keynote speaker is 2017 CBC Massey Lecturer Payam Akhavan. Professor Akhavan has devoted his life to advancing and protecting human rights around the world. At IDRF, we have spent the last 33 years saving lives and rebuilding communities. As a Canadian charity that follows the Islamic Principles of Human Dignity, Self-Reliance and Social Justice, we couldn't be more pleased with this opportunity to hear from Dr. Akhavan and his journey as he describes so well in his book "In Search of A Better World: A Human Rights Odyssey".

Members of the Media are asked to attend.

About IDRF:
IDRF (International Development and Relief Foundation) is a Canadian registered charitable organization dedicated to empowering the disadvantaged people of the world. IDRF provides effective humanitarian aid and sustainable development programs, without discrimination, based on the Islamic principles of human dignity, self-reliance, and social justice. (www.idrf.com)

About Payam Akhavan:
Payam Akhavan,  a Professor of Law at McGill University, is a renowned international law scholar and former UN prosecutor at The Hague, who has devoted his life to advancing and protecting human rights. Professor Akhavan has worked as a first Legal Advisor to the Prosecutor's Office at The Hague (1994-2000) and is currently a Member of the Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration. 

SOURCE International Development & Relief Foundation