Raja Rajamannar
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer and President, Healthcare, Mastercard
Famous for being the first Eastern European and first woman to lead UNESCO. Speaker Irina Bokova is passionate about creating dialogue between different cultures through respect and advocating against terrorism and violent extremism. Organizations book Irina Bokova to learn about the challenges of global governance, cultural heritage, women’s rights, the role of education in the future of work, and soft power for sustainable development.
Want to book Irina Bokova as a speaker for your event? Please provide the info below and we’ll get in touch within 24h:
Political speaker Irina Bokova was UNESCO’s Director-General for eight years, starting in 2009. She was the first Eastern European and first woman in charge of it. Irina studied in Moscow, Washington, and at Harvard University.
She started her professional journey at the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Later, Irina became a Member of Parliament and worked as European Affairs First Secretary. In 2005, speaker Irina Bokova spent four years working as Ambassador of Bulgaria to Monaco, France, and UNESCO. At UNESCO, she contributed to the efforts to enact Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. The agenda included gender equality, excellent education for everyone, and the preservation of cultural heritage around the world. Irina is passionate about creating dialogue between different cultures through respect. Moreover, she advocates against terrorism and violent extremism.
In fact, Irina played an important role in denouncing extremists’ destruction of heritage during the wars in Syria, Mali, and Iraq. This enabled the UN Security Council to find ways to maintain security and peace, while safeguarding cultural heritage.
In 2016, Forbes nominated Irina Bokova as one of the world’s most influential women. Throughout her career, Irina obtained several distinctions and Honorary degrees/Doctor honoris causa from many global universities. The universities include King’s College, The University of Massachusetts, and The University of Geneva.
At present, she shares her knowledge and expertise at PSIA. Moreover, Irina teaches at several universities worldwide, including the University of Geneva. Irina speaks Bulgarian, as well as French, English, Russian, and Spanish.
This talk explores the many challenges facing the global community in the current political climate. As the former Director-General of UNESCO and the first woman to hold that position, Irina is uniquely qualified to speak on these issues. In her speech, she discusses the need for greater international cooperation and coordination in addressing complex global issues, such as climate change, terrorism, and the refugee crisis. She also highlights the importance of cultural diversity and the need to protect and preserve cultural heritage, which she believes are essential for building a more inclusive and peaceful world. Irina's speech is thought-provoking, and offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of global governance in the 21st century.
In this speech, the former Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage in fostering understanding and cooperation among diverse groups. She argues that by appreciating and preserving the cultural heritage of different communities, we can build bridges of understanding and create a more peaceful and inclusive society. Bokova also highlights the need for greater investment in protecting and promoting cultural heritage, both at the national and international level. She emphasizes that cultural heritage is not just about the past, but also about our shared future and the need for all of us to work together to preserve it.
In this speech, Irina Bokova will address the role of education in the future of work. Bokova argues that as the world continues to evolve and technology advances, the skills and knowledge that people need to succeed in the workforce will also change. Education must evolve to keep pace with these changes, providing people with the tools and abilities they need to adapt to the rapidly changing world of work. Bokova will also discuss the importance of lifelong learning, and the need for individuals to continuously update their skills and knowledge in order to stay competitive in the job market. And that by investing in education, we can ensure that people are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future of work.
In this speech, Irina Bokova will address the state of women's rights in the current geopolitical context. Bokova will show audiences that despite progress in many areas, women continue to face significant challenges and discrimination around the world. She will discuss the impact of conflicts and geopolitical tensions on women, and the need for greater efforts to protect and promote their rights. Bokova will also highlight the important role that women play in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, and the need for their voices to be heard in decision-making processes. She will call for greater investment in women's empowerment and gender equality, arguing that this is essential for achieving a more just and peaceful world.
In this speech, Irina Bokova will discuss the concept of soft power and its role in promoting sustainable development. Bokova will show how soft power, which is the ability to influence others through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion, is an important tool for achieving global sustainability goals. She will discuss how countries and organizations can use soft power to build consensus and cooperation on issues such as climate change, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. Bokova will also highlight the importance of cultural exchange and dialogue in fostering understanding and mutual respect, and will call for greater investment in cultural diplomacy and public diplomacy in order to advance sustainable development. She will argue that by harnessing the power of soft power, we can build a more sustainable and equitable world.