Irina Bokava
Pro-Chancellor, distinguished friends, colleagues, graduands and guests.
“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”. Irina Bokova holds this idea very close to her heart and has done so much to bring the ambitions of UNESCO and Coventry University together as we work towards humanitarianism and cultural dialogue. It is therefore only right that we are here today to welcome her and recognise her inspiring work with an honorary doctorate of arts.
As the first woman to lead UNESCO Irina has been a longstanding supporter of the university’s ongoing work on peace and social relations; and an inspiring advocate and champion for education, diversity and peace at the very highest levels.
Born in Sofia, Bulgaria in July, 1952 as the daughter of politician and journalist, Georgi Bokov, Irina grew up surrounded by strong role models. She began her international career early on, graduating from the first English language school in Bulgaria before studying at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. She went on to study in the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and was later made a Fellow at the University of Maryland in Washington.
She now lives in Paris with her husband, Kalin Mitrev and two children – and her impressive career began with various positions in foreign affairs including at the United Nations Department of Bulgaria and later in charge of political and legal affairs at the United Nations in New York.
Here she was a member of the Bulgarian Delegation to the UN World Conferences on Women in Copenhagen, Nairobi and Beijing. She was also elected twice as Member of Parliament and served as the Government's first Secretary of European integration.
In 2009 Irina became Director-General of UNESCO – the first woman, and Eastern European to lead the organisation. She was re-elected to the position in 2013 and has in that time played a key role in its drive to promote mutual understanding and tolerance in an unprecedented period of cultural conflict.
In her many roles, Irina is actively engaged in international efforts to advance education, gender equality, security, and protection of cultural heritage - all as the foundations for lasting peace.
She spearheads global awareness and campaigns to counter youth radicalization and prevent violent extremism, hate speech and discrimination- all of it underpinned with the message of education. She is also a leading global advocate for the safety of journalists and freedom of expression.
Irina has become a champion of intercultural dialogue - exchanges between individuals, culture and communities – as critical to fostering peaceful and inclusive societies.
She has actively and personally supported the Baku Process –and the World Forum for Intercultural Dialogue - working to deepen our shared sense of solidarity, cooperation and common future. In 2016 she was named on the Forbes List of The World's Most Powerful Women.
Closer to come, and Irina is also a strong supporter of our Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations which has been a collaborator and partner with UNESCO, and which Irina has worked with and supported since its inception.
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to peace, education and understanding for communities, religions and people right across the world, Coventry University, by decision of the Academic Board, has the privilege of conferring the Degree of Doctor of Arts, honoris causa, on Irina Bokova.