Yves Leterme, the current Secretary General International IDEA will discuss the challenges facing efforts to strengthen democracy worldwide from the perspective of International IDEA, one of the leading inter-governmental organizations at the forefront of these initiatives. He will reflect on the record of success over the last two decades, since the organizations' founding in 1995, and consider the lessons for future developments and priorities. The discussion will be moderated by Pippa Norris, the Paul. F. McGuire Lecturer in Comparative Politics. Following the talk, a reception will be held in the Ash Center foyer.
Yves Leterme, joined International IDEA on June 4th, 2014. Mr Leterme previously served as Deputy Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2011 – 2014). Before joining the OECD, Yves Leterme held a variety of political posts in Belgium at all levels and in all areas of government, including having served as Prime Minister. After starting his career as an Alderman in his home town of Ypres, he became a Member of Parliament in the Chamber of Representatives, Group Chairman and leader of the opposition, Secretary-General and Chairman of the CD&V party, Minister-President and Minister for Agriculture of the Flemish Government, Federal Senator, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Budget and Mobility, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister. During Leterme’s tenure as a Prime Minister, Belgium held the Presidency of the European Union. Mr Leterme has degrees in Law and in Political Sciences from the University of Ghent.
