U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to Speak at Yale

November 7, 2012. New Haven, CT—United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will present the George Herbert Walker, Jr. Lecture in International Studies at Yale on Tuesday, Nov. 13.

Titled “Shaping Solutions for a World in Transition,” his talk will be given at 4:15 p.m. in Luce Auditorium, 34 Hillhouse Ave. Sponsored by the MacMillan Center, it is free and open to the public. The lecture will be streamed live at http://www.youtube.com/yale.

Ban Ki-moon is the eighth secretary-general of the United Nations. His priorities have been to mobilize world leaders around a set of new global challenges, from climate change and economic upheaval to pandemics and shortages of food, energy, and water. He has sought to be a bridge-builder, to give voice to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, and to strengthen the organization itself.

“I grew up in war, and saw the United Nations help my country to recover and rebuild. That experience was a big part of what led me to pursue a career in public service. As secretary general, I am determined to see this organization deliver tangible, meaningful results that advance peace, development, and human rights,” said Ban.

Ban took office on January 1, 2007, was unanimously re-elected by the General Assembly in June 2011, and will continue to serve as secretary-general until the end of 2016. Commitments that have defined his tenure include: promoting sustainable development; empowering women; supporting countries facing crises of instability; and generating new momentum on disarmament, arms control, and non-proliferation.

George Herbert Walker III, formerly the U.S. ambassador to Hungary, established this lecture series in 1986 in memory of his father, a graduate of the Yale Class of 1927. Previous George Herbert Walker, Jr. Lecturers in International Studies have included George Schultz, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Madeleine Albright, Brent Scowcroft, James Baker III, George Mitchell, Richard Holbrooke, Carla Hills, Christopher Hill, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Richard Goldstone, and John Major, among other noted international figures.

Contact Information:

Marilyn Wilkes

The Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale

(203) 432-3413