Irina Bokova, one of the world´s most influential women by Forbes and former Director-general of UNESCO, to give speech at MIUC on May 7, 2018

Irina-Bokova-MIUC
Irina Bokova, director-general of UNESCO from November 2009 to November 2017, and former candidate to the UN Secretary-General in the last elections, will be our honoured speaker on Monday, May 7, 2018 at 17:00 at MIUC, on the following topic “The Soft Power of UNESCO in a Globalised World”.

She is the first woman and the first Eastern European to lead UNESCO. She is currently serving as Co-Vice chair of the Broadband Commission and Chair of the UN High-Level Committee on Management. As Director-General of UNESCO, Irina was actively engaged in international efforts to advance quality education, gender equality, protection of the world’s cultural heritage as a humanitarian imperative, and security issues to strengthen the foundations for lasting peace. Human rights were significantly strengthened during her tenure as director-general. She successfully promoted culture, science, diplomacy, and cooperation as drivers for development. As a global advocate for the safety of journalists and freedom of expression, she spearheaded campaigns to counter through education youth radicalization and prevent violent extremism, hate speech, and discrimination.

One of her most famous quotes shows her dedication to and concern for education and global problems. She has been fighting to guarantee a future for children all around the world.

Literacy is much more than an educational priority – it is the ultimate investment in the future and the first step towards all the new forms of literacy required in the twenty-first century. We wish to see a century where every child is able to read and to use this skill to gain autonomy.
Irina Bokova

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum receives Dr. Irina Bokova
Irina began her career in 1977 at the United Nations and later was appointed to oversee political and legal affairs at the Permanent Mission of Bulgaria to the UN. She also served as ambassador of Bulgaria to France, Monaco, and UNESCO. Irina graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, known worldwide as MGIMO, and MIIUC´s academic partner, having studied at Harvard University, the John F. Kennedy School of Government and at the University of Maryland, where she was also engaged as a professor.

It was what we have been striving for – attracting world leaders to show our students how committed we are to providing the best education and worldwide career opportunities that will open for them following their graduation from our university.
MIUC’s Chief Academic Officer, Mirjana Stefanovic said.

Irina Bokova has received state distinctions from around the world, and is Doctor honoris causa of some of the most respectful universities. She was on Forbes’s 2016 list of the world’s most influential women.

Irina and Putin
Irina has written several books, including “UNESCO, the World of Islam and the Rapprochement of Cultures: A Lecture Given in the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford on 4 June 2010”, “Art for Peace” and “Destruction and Rebirth”.

All forms of books make a valuable contribution to education and the dissemination of culture and information. The diversity of books and editorial content is a source of enrichment that we must support through appropriate public policies and protect from uniformity.
Irina Bokova

We would like to see our students involved in this important event with this honoured guest-speaker, who will leave her impressive imprint on our University´s history. Taking into consideration the importance of her visit to the local community, our University will invite key figures of local politics and business to probably the most significant network event this spring in Marbella and Costa del Sol.

The president Xi and the first lady Peng Liyuan

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