The Leading Speakers Bureau

The Fifth Executive Director of UNICEF (2005 – 2010)

Ann Veneman recently completed a five-year term as executive director of the United Nations Children’s Fund, travelling to more than 60 countries to review the plight of children and UNICEF’s work to assist them. In a personal capacity, she serves on the Board of the Close Up Foundation and has previously served on a number of advisory councils and committees. A champion of UN coherence and a strong voice for children as well as Millennium Development Goal implementation, her legacy at UNICEF is an organization that is financially and intellectually strong and well-equipped to meet the challenges children face in the twenty-first century.

In 2009, Ann Veneman was named to the Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women list, ranking #46

[expand title=”In detail”] A lawyer by training, Veneman has practiced law in Washington, DC and California. Prior to joining UNICEF, Ann Veneman served as Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), overseeing 110,000 employees and an annual budget of $113 billion. In 2003 she hosted the first-ever Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology, bringing together leaders from 120 nations. She held various other positions at USDA, including Deputy Secretary, Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs and Commodity Programs and Associate Administer of the Foreign Agricultural Service. She also served as Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]With first-hand knowledge of how children’s lives are saved and having stressed a culture of continuous improvement to help achieve lasting results for children, Ann Veneman offers insights into her leadership and vision that has been recognized both nationally and internationally. She has helped children around the world by advocating for and protecting their rights.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]The first woman to become the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Ann Veneman is a distinguished orator who impresses with her extraordinary energy and immense dedication. She has become a catalyst for global action to help children reach their full potential.[/expand]
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Professor of Sociology, University of Canterbury

David C. Thorns, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Social Science Research Centre at the University of Canterbury is a distinguished sociologist and one of New Zealand’s leading social scientists. His major research projects have addressed a number of themes: housing, tourism, suburban and community research; the sociology of housing and residential mobility; social inequality and class formation; comparative urban research; restructuring and change within advanced capitalist societies; urban sustainability; comparative welfare state policy analysis and globalisation and urban change.

In 2002 he was awarded the University of Canterbury Research Medal

[expand title=”In detail”] His work has been innovative and led to significant shifts in theoretical and research agendas. It also shows a consistent engagement with the implications of social science research for both public debate and disciplinary development.. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]His current areas of research are restructuring and change within advanced capitalist societies and the meaning of house and home, globalisation and the creation of the knowledge economy/society and the development of new residential areas..[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]For the past five years he has directed research programmes funded by the New Zealand Foundation for Research Science and Technology.[/expand]
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Director of the Institute for International Economics

Fred Bergsten has been director of the Institute for International Economics since its creation in 1981. He is chairman of the “Shadow G-8,” which advises the G-8 countries on their annual meetings. He frequently testifies before Congressional committees. He was chairman of the Competitiveness Policy Council which was created by Congress from 1991 to 1995 and chairman of the APEC Eminent Persons Group throughout its existence from 1993 to 1995.

Leading authority on the global economic landscape

[expand title=”In detail”] He was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs from 1977-80 and Under Secretary for Monetary Affairs from 1980-81. From 1969-71 he served as Assistant for International Economic Affairs to Henry Kissinger at the National Security Council. He has been a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Council on Foreign Relations.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Few can claim to even come close to the level of expertise and understanding of global imbalances and the understanding of deeper sources which determine growth in industrial and developing countries. Decision makers across the globe will learn from his surveillance of the state of thinking on growth and the role of globalization in this context, making the case that the world is in need of globalization for the benefit of the poor and the rich equally.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Skillfully highlighting crucial issues and trends, Fred’s presentations are engaging, informative and always well received.[/expand]
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Leading Authority on Global Organised Crime

Misha Glenny is an award winning author and journalist who has been working in Eastern and Central Europe for 20 years. A former BBC Central Europe Correspondent, Misha is also the author of four best-selling books and has spent several years in a courageous investigation of organized crime networks worldwide. He is the Founding Director of SEE Change, an NGO which completed a two-year project developing cross-border cooperation between multi-ethnic municipalities in Kosovo, Serbia and Macedonia.

While at the BBC, Misha Glenny won 1993’s Sony Gold Award for his ‘outstanding contribution to broadcasting’

[expand title=”In detail”] Misha has written for all major British and European newspapers and is a regular contributor to the New York Times, the New York Review of Books, and the New Yorker. Among his awards are the Sony Gold Award for Special Contribution to Broadcasting. He has lectured at universities throughout Europe and the United States while the major diplomatic actors involved in the Balkans, including the Foreign Office and State Department at the highest level, continue to consult him regularly.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Misha Glenny is a popular keynote speakers at cyber security events around the world with his unique research into the relationship between cyber crime, cyber industrial espionage and cyber Having penetrated the convoluted, globalized and franchised modern underworld, often at considerable personal risk, he leaves no stone unturned (and no failed state unexamined) in his excavation of criminal globalization.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Currently researching a new book on cybercrime, underworld investigator and former BBC World correspondent Misha Glenny combines a thoughtful approach with an elegant style, speaking clearly, frankly and in great depth, providing a deeper understanding of the real-life, international criminals.[/expand]
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Expert on Employment and Workforce Diversity

Amin Rajan is Chief Executive of the Centre for Research in Employment and Technology in Europe (CREATE) – a pan-European network of prominent researchers undertaking high level advisory assignments for the UK government, City institutions, multinational companies and international bodies such as the EU, OECD and ILO. He is also a visiting professor at the Cass Business School, London Guildhall University and at the Centre for Leadership Studies at Exeter University, and also President of the Scientific Committee at Audencia-Nantes, Ecole de Management.

“ Amin’s work has proved so influential that he now provides leadership coaching to top executives and investment specialists”

[expand title=”In detail”] Amin Rajin was formerly an economic advisor at the National Economic Development Office, Cabinet Office and HM Treasury. He has also carried out numerous studies for the UK Government and international bodies, and acted as a consultant to companies such as BP, British Telecom, IBM, ICL, Legal & General, Motorola, Merrill Lynch, National Westminster Bank, Fiat, Rolls Royce, SunAlliance and Shell.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]As a prominent researcher Amin Rajan offers audiences valuable insights into the business benefits of and practical challenges involved in the promotion of workforce diversity. Amin Rajan also uses his experience to coach decision makers and offer essential advice on leadership and emerging business strategies. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Appearing regularly on business television as well as at numerous events around the world, Amin Rajan’s high content presentations are filled with invaluable information from his research perfectly tailored to suit individual client’s needs.[/expand]
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INSEAD Chaired Professor of Strategy, INSEAD & Chief Advisor, China India Institute

Prof. Anil K. Gupta is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on strategy and globalisation. He is currently the Professor of Strategy and Organization as well as Research Director at the Center for International Business Education & Research at The University of Maryland. He also serves as chief advisor to The China India Institute, a Washington DC-based research and consulting organization.

“One of the Top 20 North American Superstars for research in strategy and organization” Management International Review

[expand title=”In detail”] Prof. Gupta received a doctorate from Harvard Business School and an M.B.A. from the Indian Institute of Management. He has served as a visiting professor at Stanford University, Dartmouth College, Bocconi Business School (Italy), Helsinki University of Technology (Finland), and IPMI (Indonesia).

The recipient of numerous awards for excellence in research and teaching, Prof. Gupta has been recognized by Business Week as an Outstanding Professor in its Guide to the Best Business Schools and inducted into the Academy of Management Journals’ Hall of Fame. He is frequently quoted by the media in the U.S., China, India and Europe.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Prof. Gupta outlines how companies can leverage the market and the resource opportunities presented by the China and India phenomenon to achieve global dominance within their particular industries. He also talks about the key questions that business leaders must address in order to develop winning strategies to go global and to transform global presence into global advantage. He offers conceptual frameworks that business leaders can use to answer these questions.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Anil Gupta’s candid presentations on the global perspective and the realities of China and India are highly captivating, insightful and thought-provoking.[/expand]
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1992 Nobel Prize Winner and Human Rights Activist

Rigoberta Menchú Tum is a 1992 Nobel Prize Winner and Human Rights Activist. She is a renowned leading advocate of Indian rights and ethno-cultural reconciliation, not only in Guatemala, but in the Western Hemisphere generally, and her work has earned her several international awards.

“Rigoberta represents the dynamic development of international legal norms”

[expand title=”In detail”] Born in 1959 in the village of Chimel, Guatemala, a community continuing the millennium-old Maya-Quiché culture. In 1979, Rigoberta joined the CUC (Peasant Unity Committee). That year her brother was arrested, tortured and killed by the army. The following year, her father was killed when security forces in the capital stormed the Spanish Embassy. Shortly afterwards, her mother also died after having been arrested, tortured and raped. Rigoberta became increasingly active in the CUC, and taught herself Spanish as well as other Mayan languages than her native Quiche. In 1980, she figured prominently in a strike the CUC organized for better conditions for farm workers on the Pacific coast, and on May 1, 1981, she was active in large demonstrations in the capital.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]The breadth and depth of her knowledge and experience is unique. Rigoberta has great insights into the social justice and human rights arena as well as globalisation and sustainable development.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]A highly emotional and forceful speaker, the flamboyant Guatamalian is now in great demand as a speaker on political and human rights issues at conferences the world over.[/expand]
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Swiss Adventurer & Global Warming speaker, Humanitarian & Inventor & Creator of the Solartaxi

Louis Palmer, a Swiss school teacher, made world history as the first man who has ever circumnavigated the world with a car powered by renewable energy. His message has reached more than 700 million people all over the world. The tour’s mission was to spread knowledge about the dangers of global warming and to demonstrate to the world that solutions are available to combat global warming. He is definitely a man with a mission.

Around the world using solar power: 53451 km through 38 countries (2007 – 2008)

[expand title=”In detail”] Among his other projects that see Hungarian born Louis Palmer regularly give up his ordinary life and finish his job as a teacher he wanted to fill the the gap between a car and a motorcycle with the solar taxi. He set off on a world tour in his solar powered vehicle in July 2007 and after 17 gruelling months his around-the-world trip was completed, having travelled 32,000 miles and across 40 countries. In 1996 he started a journey across the US with an ultralight airplane, in 1999 he was a tour observer at the World Solar Challenge in Australia, in 2001 he crossed Asia by car and in 2003 he led a tourist group across Afghanistan to raise money for the reconstruction of the Arkandi School.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Louis Palmer talks openly and freely to worldwide audiences about his historical journey. The ultimate goal was quite simple: to show the world that renewable energy is a viable solution to global warming. Hearing the stories of how the project came together and how it evolved, audiences are amazed at how the efforts of a single man could bring someone so far and deliver the message to hundreds of millions of spectators. With a truly inspiring speech, Louis speaks of his adventures and describes the numerous obstacles he came across, most of which seemed quite amusing in retrospect.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Louis Palmer stimulates the interest of his audiences and is recognised for his innovative vision, sense of humour and conviction.[/expand]
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Ecologist, Conservationist, Environment and Climate Change Expert, and Writer

Julian Caldecott has spent more than 20 years promoting biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability around the world. Major themes in his work include integrating development and conservation, promoting sustainable and equitable use of biodiversity and ecosystems, and exploring ways to finance conservation sustainably. In recent months, he has assessed a five-year EC project on coastal ecosystem conservation in Thailand, and has been writing and editing books for UNEP.

“An ecologist on a mission”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 2003, Julian led a division at the United Nations Environment Programme’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre, responsible for global assessment of ecosystem status and threats, and the valuation of ecosystem services. In 2005, he joined the UNEP Asian Tsunami Disaster Task Force to help assess the impacts of the Great Tsunami in Sri Lanka, and to improve environmental security by restoring various coastal ecosystems. In 2006 he was Senior Technical Adviser at the UNEP with special responsibility for environmental restoration in the Indian Ocean region. He has taught seminars and examined graduate dissertations at several universities including Cambridge, Hawaii, Kiel, Dalhousie, Australian National and Sydney.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Julian is a scientifically-trained independent practitioner of sustainable development, with special interest and experience in biodiversity, ecosystems, environmental services and participatory and community-based management of natural resources. He believes passionately that through education, consultation and action, we can all help to reduce the damage that we are doing to the biosphere – the thin skin of life on Earth. His aim is to make the workings of the biosphere clear to all, so that we can understand how and why to start living on the Earth as if we intended to stay.[/expand]
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One of the leading European liberal economists, Global adviser for the President of South Korea and Chair the India France economic council

Prof. Guy Sorman is considered one of the leading European liberal economists. He has held several public offices, including advisor to the prime minister of France (1995-1997), Member of the National Commission for Human Rights and deputy mayor of Boulogne (since 1995), near Paris. In 2008, he was appointed as Global adviser for the President of South Korea. Since 2000 he chairs the India France economic council, since 2007 a syndicated columnist for Project Syndicate and since 2009 he is the President of the Boulogne – Billancourt Economic Council.

“A leading French thinker”

[expand title=”In detail”] Guy Sorman has been awarded the highest Argentinian and Brazilian distinctions: The Order of May and the Southern Cross. He taught economics at the Paris Institute of Political Sciences from 1970 to 2000 and at many other Universities over the globe. In 1985, he was a visiting scholar at Stanford, Hoover Institution. He is a regular columnist for Le Figaro in France, the Wall Street Journal and City Journal (contributing editor) in the US, Dong A in Korea, Fakt in Poland , La Nacion in Argentina, and other publications around the world. In 1975, Guy Sorman founded Editions Sorman, a publishing company specialized in Economics and Legal affairs.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Guy Sorman has renovated classic liberalism by showing how it could lead any country towards growth, in any civilization: culture, religion, tradition, even political institutions. He explains how obstacles to development can be overcome when the right economic policy is implemeted. He advises governments and organisations worldwide on the importance of a rational and economically sound answer to ecological anxieties.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Human rights leader, Government advisor and leading economist, Guy Sorman expertly provides his worldwide audiences with whole new perspective on economics, China, India and other global issues.[/expand]
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