Guided by Global Expertise
Our work is made possible by the dedication of our committee and staff.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Our work is made possible by the dedication of our elected Board and professional staff. Hailing from diverse professional backgrounds and representing multiple continents, our team is responsible for the daily operations, financial stewardship, and long-term vision of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies.
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Fundraisers
125k
Donated
36
Sponsors
100+
Volunteers
About us
Our Committee
The World Federation of Right to Die Societies advocates for a self determined and dignified end of life, in which individuals have the freedom to request and obtain all appropriate end of life care, ranging from optimal palliative care to assisted dying.
Anna became interested in the Right to Die movement in the 1990s when working with terminally ill patients in the state of Washington (USA), before VAD (voluntary assisted dying) was legalized. In 2018, she assisted her mother with VAD in Washington. Her mother’s experience and her family’s experience with VAD made Anna even more passionate and determined to ensure that every human being has the fundamental right to decide over their own lives and their own deaths. She is currently finishing a book on her experience with VAD with her mother.
About us
Our Staff
The World Federation of Right to Die Societies advocates for a self-determined and dignified end of life, in which individuals have the freedom to request and obtain all appropriate end of life care, ranging from optimal palliative care to assisted dying.
Our members societies work worldwide to raise awareness of voluntary assisted dying
Around 350 million people around the world are fortunate in having some form of right to die legislation to call upon if their personal situation requires it.
However, the fight continues to extend that right to everyone else. With more than 30 years of reliable data available which underlines the safety and efficacy of voluntary assisted dying, the Federation works with local organisations to support activists, educate parliamentarians and provide expert knowledge wherever it is needed.
France
ADMD France, Le Choix and AAVIVRE; our French societies all working hard have helped secure a new law in France
Australia
DWD Victoria launched a successful Young Ambassadors program in 2024, now being rolled out worldwide.
Brazil
The Federation welcomed Eu Decido in 2025, fighting for end of life rights for South America’s largest country.
Italy
With continued direct action and campaigning, Associazone Luca Coscioni has expanded the rights to an assisted death in Regions of Italy
Committees
Our Previous Committees
2022-2024
2020-2022
Officers
President: Asunción Alvarez 
Secretary: Anne Bunning 
Treasurer: Jean-Jacques Bise 
General member: Sten Niklasson 
Staff
Exec Director: Rob Jonquière 
Web & Newsletter: Laura De Vito
Media & Activities: Jane Barrett
Officers
President: Asunción Alvarez
Secretary: Anne Bunning
Treasurer: Jean-Jacques Bise
General member: Sten Niklasson
General member: Masahiro Nomoto
Staff
Exec Director: Rob Jonquière
Web & Newsletter: Laura De Vito
Media & Activities: Jane Barrett
2018-2020
2016-2018
Officers
President: Ron Plummer 
Secretary: Carole Sweney 
Treasurer: Jean-Jacques Bise
Director: Soichi Iwao
Director: Jean-Luc Romero 
Director: Jeanne Arthur
Director: Sean Davison 
Staff
Exec Director: Rob Jonquière
Web & Newsletter: Laura De Vito
Officers
President: Sean Davison
Secretary: Jeanne Arthur
Treasurer: Jean-Jacques Bise
Director: Derryck Smith 
Director: Soichi Iwao
Staff
Exec Director: Rob Jonquière
2014-2016
2012-2014
Officers
President: Ron Plummer
Secretary: Carole Sweney
Treasurer: Jean-Jacques Bise
Director: Soichi Iwao
Director: Jean-Luc Romero
Director: Jeanne Arthur
Director: Sean Davison
Staff
Exec Director: Rob Jonquière
Officers
Presidents: Neil Francis / Faye Girsh 
Secretary: Berit Hasselmark
Treasurer: Ron Plummer
Director: Faye Girsh
Director: Soichi Iwao
Director: Rodney Syme
Director: Jean-Jacques Bise
Staff
Exec Director: Rob Jonquière
2010-2012
2008-2010
Officers
President: Ted Goodwin
Secretary: Libby Drake
Treasurer: Michael Irwin
Director: Faye Girsh
Director: Cynthia St John
Director: Rodney Syme
Director: Aycke Smook
Staff
Exec Director: Rob Jonquière
Officers
President: Ted Goodwin
Secretary: Libby Drake
Treasurer: Michael Irwin
Director: Faye Girsh
Director: Cynthia St John
Director: Rodney Syme
Director: Aycke Smook
Other Directors
Ans Baars
Dr. Aycke Smook
Cynthia St.John
Rodney Syme
Rob Jonquière
2006-2008
2004-2006
Board
President: Jacqueline Herremans 
Vice president: Juan Mendoza-Vega 
Secretary: Cynthia St John
Treasurer: Ted Goodwin
Newsletter editor: Faye Girsh
Other Directors
Karen Sanders
Chris Loker
Michio Arakawa
Jean-Luc Roméro
Officers
President: Jacob Kohnstamm
Vice-President: Jacqueline Herremans
Pt.President: Dr. Michael Irwin
Treasurer: Annelies Plaisant
Secretary: Libby Drake
Newsletter Editor: Faye Girsh
Other Directors
Dr. Richard MacDonald
Derek Humphry
Dr. Juan Mendoza-Vega
Dr. Michio Arakawa
Cynthia St. John
2002-2004
2000-2002
Board
President: Dr. Michael Irwin
Vice-President / President-elect (2004-2006): Juana Betancor 
Past-President: Dr. Richard MacDonald
Treasurer: Annelies Plaisant
Secretary: Libby Drake
Newsletter Editor: Derek Humphry
Other Directors
Dr. Michio Arakawa
Jacqueline Herremans
Jacob Kohnstamm
Dr. Libby Wilson
Dr. Juan Mendoza-Vega
Officers
President: Richard MacDonald
Vice-President: Dr. Michael Irwin
Past-President: Mary Gallnor
Treasurer: Olli Penttila 
Secretary: Libby Drake
Newsletter: Editor Derek Humphry
Other Directors
Michio Arakawa
Juana Betancor
Jacqueline Herremans
Hans Schraven
Executive Director
Stephen Jamison
1998-2000
Board
President: Mary Gallnor
Vice-President: Richard MacDonald
Treasurer: Olli Penttila
Secretary: Libby Drake
Other Directors
Jacqueline Herremans
Derek Humphry
Malcolm Hurwitt
Ken Minami
Aycke O A Smook
Hugh Wynne
We are hiring
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About
Become a Part of the WFRtDS
Whether you represent an organization or yourself, find your place in the international movement for end of life choice.
Become a Member Organisation
Join our global network of societies working together to secure end of life rights. Membership connects your organization with legal experts, campaign resources, and a platform to amplify your advocacy on the world stage.
Download Membership FormBecome a Supporter (individuals)
You don’t have to be an organization to make a difference. Individuals can become official Supporters of the Federation with an annual contribution of $25. Your support helps fund our global educational outreach and advocacy.
Download Supporters FormStay engaged via News & Updates
Keep up with the latest legislative changes, research, and upcoming events in the right to die movement. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive curated updates from our member societies across 30+
Sign up to our NewsletterMembers
Our Member Organisations
We currently have 63 are members of the World Federation.
latest news
The latest news from our members and from around the world
Our members produce helpful factsheets and newsletters. The Federation is always happy to share other sources of information in favour of our joint mission to advance assisted dying around the world.
