A brilliant strategist, shrewd analyst and charismatic leader, Paul Wolfowitz spent more than three decades in public service and higher education, including in the administrations of seven U.S. presidents.  Wolfowitz served as the 10th President of the World Bank Group, where he was a staunch advocate of impoverished nations fighting for equitable global trade agreements. 

Prior to helming the World Bank, Wolfowitz was the Deputy Secretary of Defense, playing a key role in planning for the successful liberation of Kuwait, including organizing the fundraising effort that raised $50 billion in multilateral support. He also collaborated on the U.S. administration’s nuclear arms reduction initiative as well as led the development of policy to respond to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  Since his departure from public service, Wolfowitz has remained active in international policy circles including his appointment as Chairman of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council  and as chair of the U.S. State Department’s International Security Advisory Board (ISAB), which is tasked with providing State “independent insight and advice on all aspects of arms control, disarmament, international security, and related aspects of public diplomacy.”

SPEAKER TOPICS

Given the remarkable depth of his exceptional career in both the private and public sectors, Paul Wolfowitz addresses many of today’s most critical, complex events with unparalleled expertise, intelligence and insight.  Having served at the highest levels of leadership in domestic and international affairs, Wolfowitz offers a comprehensive, compelling and revealing examination of the changes and challenges facing world leaders in the current geo-political landscape.  Audiences are given unprecedented access to one of the globe’s most influential, intellectual and dynamic leaders as Wolfowitz sheds light on the opportunities and obstacles confronting the U.S. and the world today.  Providing penetrating analysis and contextual commentary with clarity, cohesion, and wit, Wolfowitz offers an unmatched perspective and outlook on contemporary global issues. Popular topics include:

  • Asia: It's Bigger Than China
  • The Freedom Wave Hits the Arab World
  • From "Third World" to "Emerging Markets" - Economic Revolution in the Developing World
  • Indonesia: How the World's Largest Muslim Population Produced the Third Largest Democracy
  • Can Africa Become the Next Emerging Market?
  • Singing Happy Birthday in Chinese: Will This Be the "Chinese Century"?
ABOUT Paul Wolfowitz, Ph.D.   (+/-)

Dedicated Diplomat, Effective Statesman

Paul Wolfowitz’s 24 years of extraordinary government service includes a term under Secretary of State George Shultz as Ambassador to Indonesia, the fourth most-populous country in the world and largest in the Muslim world.  During Ambassador Wolfowitz’s tenure in that country, he became known for his advocacy of reform and political openness as well as his interest in development issues, stemming from his doctoral dissertation on water desalination in the Middle East. Under his leadership, the embassy in Jakarta was officially recognized as one of the best-managed U.S. diplomatic missions in the world.

Empowering Freedom for Populations Worldwide

Earlier, Wolfowitz served as head of the U. S. State Department’s Policy Planning Office and as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, where he worked directly with the leaders of more than 20 countries. In that position, Wolfowitz played a key role in supporting the peaceful transition to democracy in the Philippines in 1986. He also worked to help improve U.S. relations with China, strengthen alliances with Japan and Korea, and lay the groundwork for the subsequent democratic transition in Korea.

Distinguished Scholar and Thought Leader

Wolfowitz has also been a leader in higher education. From 1994-2001, he served as Dean and Professor of International Relations at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of The Johns Hopkins University. Earlier, he taught political science at Yale University. Wolfowitz has written widely on foreign policy, diplomacy and national security, and was a member of the advisory board of Foreign Affairs.

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