Here is the text of Greg Hallen's email. IDRC's website does not mention (yet?) this decision.
It is with sincere regret that I inform you that the African Tobacco Situational Analyses (ATSA) Final Consultation meeting in Dakar is cancelled. This decision has been made as we have just been informed that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has terminated its grant with IDRC, as a result of the association that the Chair of the IDRC Board of Governors had with a tobacco company.
I understand and am sorry that this will cause considerable inconvenience for many of you. IDRC will provide compensation for any costs that have been incurred as a result of arrangements that have been made for your participation at the meeting. You will receive further information from IDRC as soon as possible on this matter.
While IDRC understands and respects the reasons for the Gates Foundation's decision to terminate this grant, it is naturally disappointed. IDRC remains proud of its long record of accomplishments in tobacco control and of its work with the tobacco control community. IDRC remains committed to working on tobacco control and other public health issues.
Sincerely,
Greg
______________________________
Greg Hallen
Program Leader
Research for International Tobacco Control
International Development Research Centre
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