Apr 13, 2018
Have you ever wondered what UNESCO is? Or what the rest of the world thinks about the United States’ role in the United Nations? In this episode, former Director-General Irina Bokova answers these questions and more with Perry World House’s Bill Burke-White. Listen and learn about the interesting work that UNESCO does, the politics and intrigue behind international organizations, and the career of a seasoned diplomat.
Irina Bokova served as the Director-General of UNESCO between November 2009 and November 2017. She is the first woman and the first Eastern European to lead the Organization. Before that, she served as acting-Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as Ambassador of Bulgaria to France, Monaco, and UNESCO.
Episode Guide:
00:40 – Bill and Mike discuss the U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO following Palestine's ascent to the organization
07:20 – Interview with Bokova begins, discussion of her professional background
09:00 – What is UNESCO? What does it do?
15:25 – What tools does UNESCO have to protect cultural heritage?
19:25 – What is the argument for U.S. financial support of international institutions?
22:15 – What will it take to bring the U.S. back to UNESCO?
24:30 – Reform efforts and the United Nations
29:30 – How to break through political log jams in international institutions
32:00 – What is the greatest challenge facing the world over the next two years? Next 20?
34:20 – Bokova shares an interesting fact
35:30 – Career advice for students interested in global affairs
Music and Produced by Tre Hester