Gareth Evans studied arts and law at the University of Melbourne before completing an MA in politics, philosophy and economics at Oxford. He became a member of staff in the Law School, teaching constitutional law in 1971-6. He also practised as a barrister, specialising in industrial law.
As a member of the Australian Senate and later the House of Representatives from 1978 to 1999, Evans held several portfolios but was best known as Minister for Foreign Affairs (1988-96) in the Hawke and Keating Labor governments. He took a key role in the development of the United Nations peace plan for Cambodia and the creation of APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-Operation forum.
Evans' work in international affairs continued after his retirement from parliament in 1999. He was a member of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission and the United Nations Secretary General's High Level Panel on Threats Challenges and Change, and chaired the World Economic Forum Peace and Security Expert Group. He has been President and Chief Executive of the International Crisis Group since 2000. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University of Melbourne in 2002.
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