After 30 years, Partnership Africa Canada (PAC) has changed its name to IMPACT (https://IMPACTtransform.org) to more accurately reflect its work on natural resource management in areas where security and human rights are at risk.

In October, the organization’s headquarters in Ottawa, Canada announced the name change and began collaborating with authorities to be able to operate under its new name in Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo—the two countries where the group has offices abroad.

Today, Partnership Africa Canada’s offices in Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo in the two countries change to IMPACT.

The organization’s tagline— Transforming natural resource management Empowering communities—conveys IMPACT’s commitment to provide capacity and spotlight to local actors to mobilize and challenge how their natural resources are managed.

IMPACT was established in 1986 as a Canadian civil society coalition, tasked with distributing funding from the Canadian International Development Agency to address the root causes of conflict and to promote development in Africa. In the mid-1990s, IMPACT’s role disbursing funds ended and the organization grew into a global leader on research and policy related to conflict diamonds and minerals.

For its work to end the trade of conflict diamonds, IMPACT was co-nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2003.

Today, IMPACT investigates how natural resources are managed and how these systems can be improved. Based on recommendations from its research, IMPACT develops and delivers innovative systems for the management of natural resources through technical assistance and capacity building. IMPACT engages stakeholders across all sectors including policymakers, industry, and local communities to improve natural resource management.

“We’re thrilled to be kicking off a new chapter of our work as IMPACT,” said Executive Director Joanne Lebert.

“After our organization’s transformation over the years to a global leader on natural resources in conflict-affected areas, we’ve now emerged with a sharper definition of who we are—and the name to match. But our commitment to partnership and collaboration with local partners for lasting change remains steadfast and is rooted throughout our work,” Lebert added.

IMPACT has an office in Kampala, Uganda and an office in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as two offices in the country’s Ituri Province. The organization is a technical partner to the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), as well as the Member States—and works closely with Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo to end the illicit trade of natural resources.

IMPACT’s work to promote responsible sourcing of minerals in the Great Lakes region is funded by Global Affairs Canada.