Kristalina Georgieva
Encyclopedia
Kristalina Ivanova Georgieva ' onMouseout='HidePop("69710")' href="/topics/Sofia">Sofia
, Bulgaria) is a Bulgaria
n economist and politician, currently serving as European Commissioner
for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response in the second college of the Barroso Commission
.
She was appointed as Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the World Bank Group
in March 2008; in January 2010 she announced her intention to resign from this post in view of her nomination to the Commission of the European Union. She has also served as a member of the board of trustees and associated professor in the Economics Department of the University of National and World Economy
in Bulgaria. On 19 January 2010 she became Bulgaria's replacement European Commissioner
nominee for the second college of the Barroso Commission
. Georgieva is affiliated on the European level with the European People's Party
(EPP).
Since taking office as Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis response her presence in the field – in Haiti, Chile and Pakistan as a response to the natural disasters that have struck there; Sahel in relation to the ongoing food crisis threat; Darfur as a way to tackle a forgotten conflict; Kyrgyzstan as a reaction to a sudden onset conflict; disasters within the EU such as the Romania floods, Hungary industrial accident at Ajka – along with timely and effective response to these crises, natural and man-made disasters has led to increased EU visibility.
Kristalina Georgieva is named European of the Year and EU Commissioner of the Year as an acknowledgment to her work and in particular her handling of the humanitarian disasters in Haiti and Pakistan after previously she was nominated among the candidates for the category Commissioner of the Year the prestigious award organized by the European Voice
newspaper. The winner is elected through online voting open to all until 31 October every year.
in Political Economy
and Sociology
from the University of National and World Economy in Sofia, Bulgaria. Her thesis was on the “Environmental Protection Policy and Economic Growth in the USA”. She also did post-graduate research and studies in natural resource economics
and environmental policy
at the London School of Economics
and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
. She held a range of academic and consulting positions in Bulgaria and the US, and has lectured on development topics in universities around the world, including the Australian National University
, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tsinghua University
, Yale University
, Harvard University
, London School of Economics, the University of the South Pacific
and others.
, came under fire from members
of the European Parliament
during the confirmation hearing over both her competence for the post and allegations of gaps in her declaration of financial interests, she withdrew her bid, and Kristalina Georgieva was proposed as a new pick by the Bulgarian government. On 21 January 2010 the European Commission
President
José Manuel Barroso met with Georgieva and expressed his approval, stating that "Mrs. Georgieva has solid international experience and knowledge with which she is going to contribute significantly in her capacity as a EU Commissioner."
The confirmation hearing of Georgieva took place at the European Parliament on 4 February 2010. She faced questions on her suitability for the international cooperation, humanitarian aid and crisis response portfolio. Georgieva identified Haiti
as a priority, especially the need to provide shelter and health services and to restore the functions and service of the government, so as to start work on reconstruction and long-term development. Other key issues raised in discussions with MEP
s had been improving co-ordination within the EU (and within the Commission), and between humanitarian and military players in order to meet the dual challenge posed by expanding needs and shrinking budgets. The need to improve the effectiveness of EU actions and for better response capacity had also been stressed, together with the establishment of European Voluntary Humanitarian Corps.
Georgieva was given a warm response by MEPs, with Labour
MEP Michael Cashman
praising her "honesty and deep breadth of knowledge". She was applauded by committee members when she told British Conservative
MEP Nirj Deva
that she would stand up for the interests of the EU and be an independent mind. Ivo Vajgl
, a Liberal
MEP, also praised her, saying: "let me compliment you on your peaceful manner and the confidence you are exuding today". Her performance at the hearing was widely publicized in Bulgaria and broadcasted live on many national media, where it was seen as question of restoration of national honor following Jeleva's hearing.
The second college of the Barroso Commission, including Georgieva, was approved by the European Parliament on 9 February 2010 by a vote of 488 to 137, with 72 abstentions, and took office the following day.
) and Pakistan (2010 Pakistan floods
) as a response to the natural disasters that have struck there; Sahel in relation to the ongoing food crisis threat; Darfur as a way to tackle a forgotten conflict; Kyrgyzstan as a reaction to a sudden onset conflict – along with timely and effective response to these crises, natural and man-made disasters has led to increased EU visibility. She has also worked to ensure an EU response, where disasters have struck within the Union – such as during the floods in Romania and Poland, the red mud sludge in Ajke, Hungar y and made sure that prevention and preparedness strategies are in place.
In parallel to reacting to natural and man-made disasters, Georgieva has continued to make good progress the three declared priorities of her mandate: Building up EU’s Disaster Response capacity, creating the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps foreseen in the Lisbon Treaty and proceeding with the Mid-term review of European Union Humanitarian Aid Consensus’ Action plan. This work will pave the way for future legislative proposals.
As recognition of her work and her efficient reaction to the humanitarian crises of the year, Commissioner Georgieva has been nominated and on 20 November named as Commissioner of the Year in the 'Europeans of the Year 2010' awards, organised by the influential European Voice
newspaper. She was also named European of the Year by European Voice
. The winners are chosen on the basis of online voting , which is open until 31 October each year.
Georgieva, in discussing the situation in the Gaza Strip
, said that she believes that the "humanitarian crisis...was artificially created because of the [Israeli] blockade," but added that the idea of a flotilla
is not the correct action to take: "We are not in favor of attempts to help people in this way."
|-
Sofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
, Bulgaria) is a Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n economist and politician, currently serving as European Commissioner
European Commissioner
A European Commissioner is a member of the 27-member European Commission. Each Member within the college holds a specific portfolio and are led by the President of the European Commission...
for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response in the second college of the Barroso Commission
Barroso Commission
The Barroso Commission is the European Commission that has been in office since 22 November 2004 and is due to serve until 2014. Its president is José Manuel Barroso, who presides over 26 other commissioners...
.
She was appointed as Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the World Bank Group
World Bank Group
The World Bank Group is a family of five international organizations that makes leveraged loans, generally to poor countries.The Bank came into formal existence on 27 December 1945 following international ratification of the Bretton Woods agreements, which emerged from the United Nations Monetary...
in March 2008; in January 2010 she announced her intention to resign from this post in view of her nomination to the Commission of the European Union. She has also served as a member of the board of trustees and associated professor in the Economics Department of the University of National and World Economy
University of National and World Economy
The University of National and World Economy is a university located in Sofia, Bulgaria.- History :University of National and World Economy is one of the biggest and oldest higher educational institutions of economics in the Republic of Bulgaria and South Eastern Europe with a history of almost...
in Bulgaria. On 19 January 2010 she became Bulgaria's replacement European Commissioner
European Commissioner
A European Commissioner is a member of the 27-member European Commission. Each Member within the college holds a specific portfolio and are led by the President of the European Commission...
nominee for the second college of the Barroso Commission
Barroso Commission
The Barroso Commission is the European Commission that has been in office since 22 November 2004 and is due to serve until 2014. Its president is José Manuel Barroso, who presides over 26 other commissioners...
. Georgieva is affiliated on the European level with the European People's Party
European People's Party
The European People's Party is a pro-European centre-right European political party. The EPP was founded in 1976 by Christian democratic parties, but later it increased its membership to include conservative parties and parties of other centre-right perspectives.The EPP is the most influential of...
(EPP).
Since taking office as Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis response her presence in the field – in Haiti, Chile and Pakistan as a response to the natural disasters that have struck there; Sahel in relation to the ongoing food crisis threat; Darfur as a way to tackle a forgotten conflict; Kyrgyzstan as a reaction to a sudden onset conflict; disasters within the EU such as the Romania floods, Hungary industrial accident at Ajka – along with timely and effective response to these crises, natural and man-made disasters has led to increased EU visibility.
Kristalina Georgieva is named European of the Year and EU Commissioner of the Year as an acknowledgment to her work and in particular her handling of the humanitarian disasters in Haiti and Pakistan after previously she was nominated among the candidates for the category Commissioner of the Year the prestigious award organized by the European Voice
European Voice
European Voice is an English language newspaper owned by The Economist Group. The newspaper gives an account of the activities of the key European Union institutions – the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of Ministers...
newspaper. The winner is elected through online voting open to all until 31 October every year.
Early life and career
Kristalina Georgieva holds a PhD in Economics and a M.A.Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Political Economy
Political economy
Political economy originally was the term for studying production, buying, and selling, and their relations with law, custom, and government, as well as with the distribution of national income and wealth, including through the budget process. Political economy originated in moral philosophy...
and Sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
from the University of National and World Economy in Sofia, Bulgaria. Her thesis was on the “Environmental Protection Policy and Economic Growth in the USA”. She also did post-graduate research and studies in natural resource economics
Natural resource economics
Image:Sustainable development.svg|right|The three pillars of sustainability. Click on image areas for more information.|thumbpoly 138 194 148 219 164 240 182 257 219 277 263 291 261 311 264 331 272 351 283 366 300 383 316 394 287 408 261 417 224 424 182 426 154 423 119 415 87 403 58 385 40 368 24...
and environmental policy
Environmental policy
Environmental policy is any [course of] action deliberately taken [or not taken] to manage human activities with a view to prevent, reduce, or mitigate harmful effects on nature and natural resources, and ensuring that man-made changes to the environment do not have harmful effects on...
at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
. She held a range of academic and consulting positions in Bulgaria and the US, and has lectured on development topics in universities around the world, including the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University , colloquially known in Chinese as Qinghua, is a university in Beijing, China. The school is one of the nine universities of the C9 League. It was established in 1911 under the name "Tsinghua Xuetang" or "Tsinghua College" and was renamed the "Tsinghua School" one year later...
, Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, London School of Economics, the University of the South Pacific
University of the South Pacific
The University of the South Pacific is a public university with a number of locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. It is an international centre for teaching and research on Pacific culture and environment. USP's academic programmes are recognised worldwide, attracting students...
and others.
World Bank Career
Kristalina Georgieva started her career at the World Bank in 1993 as an environmental economist for Europe and Central Asia. Following this she served in various positions in the bank ultimately rising to become Director in the Environment Department in charge of World Bank environmental strategy, policies and lending. From 2004–2007 she was the institutions' Director and Resident Representative in the Russian Federation based in Moscow. She returned to Washington to become Director for Strategy and Operations, Sustainable Development. Her final position at the World Bank, Vice President and Corporate Secretary, conveyed lead responsibility for liaison with the members of the institution's Board of Executive Directors, representing the Bank's shareholders (the member country governments).Nomination as European Commissioner and hearing in the European Parliament
After the former Bulgarian nominee, Rumiana JelevaRumiana Jeleva
Rumiana Ruseva Jeleva was Bulgaria's minister of foreign affairs , the third woman to hold this office after Irina Bokova and Nadezhda Mihailova. Jeleva was a key figure in the "Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria" political party which won the 2009 parliamentary elections...
, came under fire from members
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
of the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
during the confirmation hearing over both her competence for the post and allegations of gaps in her declaration of financial interests, she withdrew her bid, and Kristalina Georgieva was proposed as a new pick by the Bulgarian government. On 21 January 2010 the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
President
President of the European Commission
The President of the European Commission is the head of the European Commission ― the executive branch of the :European Union ― the most powerful officeholder in the EU. The President is responsible for allocating portfolios to members of the Commission and can reshuffle or dismiss them if needed...
José Manuel Barroso met with Georgieva and expressed his approval, stating that "Mrs. Georgieva has solid international experience and knowledge with which she is going to contribute significantly in her capacity as a EU Commissioner."
The confirmation hearing of Georgieva took place at the European Parliament on 4 February 2010. She faced questions on her suitability for the international cooperation, humanitarian aid and crisis response portfolio. Georgieva identified Haiti
2010 Haiti earthquake
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks...
as a priority, especially the need to provide shelter and health services and to restore the functions and service of the government, so as to start work on reconstruction and long-term development. Other key issues raised in discussions with MEP
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
s had been improving co-ordination within the EU (and within the Commission), and between humanitarian and military players in order to meet the dual challenge posed by expanding needs and shrinking budgets. The need to improve the effectiveness of EU actions and for better response capacity had also been stressed, together with the establishment of European Voluntary Humanitarian Corps.
Georgieva was given a warm response by MEPs, with Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
MEP Michael Cashman
Michael Cashman
Michael Maurice Cashman is a British former actor, now a Labour politician. He has been a Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands constituency since 1999.- Acting :...
praising her "honesty and deep breadth of knowledge". She was applauded by committee members when she told British Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
MEP Nirj Deva
Nirj Deva
Niranjan Joseph "Nirj" De Silva Deva-Aditya FRSA DL is a politician from the United Kingdom. A member of the Conservative Party, he has been a Member of the European Parliament representing South East England since 1999...
that she would stand up for the interests of the EU and be an independent mind. Ivo Vajgl
Ivo Vajgl
Ivo Vajgl is a Slovenian politician and diplomat.-Political career:Born in Maribor, he studied at the University of Ljubljana. He was appointed foreign minister by Prime Minister Anton Rop on 6 July 2004, replacing Dimitrij Rupel, who left the Liberal Democracy of Slovenia party to join the...
, a Liberal
Zares
Zares – Social Liberals is a social-liberal political party in Slovenia. Its president is Gregor Golobič, former Secretary General of the Liberal Democracy of Slovenia and former close advisor to the late Janez Drnovšek, who had previously abandoned active political involvement due to...
MEP, also praised her, saying: "let me compliment you on your peaceful manner and the confidence you are exuding today". Her performance at the hearing was widely publicized in Bulgaria and broadcasted live on many national media, where it was seen as question of restoration of national honor following Jeleva's hearing.
The second college of the Barroso Commission, including Georgieva, was approved by the European Parliament on 9 February 2010 by a vote of 488 to 137, with 72 abstentions, and took office the following day.
Work as European Commissioner
Immediately after taking office, Georgieva took the responsibility for coordinating the European Union response to the humanitarian consequence of the Haiti earthquake . As result of her action the EU and was the primary humanitarian donor in the devastated country. Following this initial baptism by fire Georgieva has ensured EUs response in a number of crises and disasters that have struck the world in 2010. Her presence in the field – in Chile (2010 Chile earthquake2010 Chile earthquake
The 2010 Chile earthquake occurred off the coast of central Chile on Saturday, 27 February 2010, at 03:34 local time , having a magnitude of 8.8 on the moment magnitude scale, with intense shaking lasting for about three minutes. It ranks as the sixth largest earthquake ever to be recorded by a...
) and Pakistan (2010 Pakistan floods
2010 Pakistan floods
The 2010 Pakistan floods began in late July 2010, resulting from heavy monsoon rains in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan regions of Pakistan and affected the Indus River basin. Approximately one-fifth of Pakistan's total land area was underwater, approximately...
) as a response to the natural disasters that have struck there; Sahel in relation to the ongoing food crisis threat; Darfur as a way to tackle a forgotten conflict; Kyrgyzstan as a reaction to a sudden onset conflict – along with timely and effective response to these crises, natural and man-made disasters has led to increased EU visibility. She has also worked to ensure an EU response, where disasters have struck within the Union – such as during the floods in Romania and Poland, the red mud sludge in Ajke, Hungar y and made sure that prevention and preparedness strategies are in place.
In parallel to reacting to natural and man-made disasters, Georgieva has continued to make good progress the three declared priorities of her mandate: Building up EU’s Disaster Response capacity, creating the European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps foreseen in the Lisbon Treaty and proceeding with the Mid-term review of European Union Humanitarian Aid Consensus’ Action plan. This work will pave the way for future legislative proposals.
As recognition of her work and her efficient reaction to the humanitarian crises of the year, Commissioner Georgieva has been nominated and on 20 November named as Commissioner of the Year in the 'Europeans of the Year 2010' awards, organised by the influential European Voice
European Voice
European Voice is an English language newspaper owned by The Economist Group. The newspaper gives an account of the activities of the key European Union institutions – the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of Ministers...
newspaper. She was also named European of the Year by European Voice
European Voice
European Voice is an English language newspaper owned by The Economist Group. The newspaper gives an account of the activities of the key European Union institutions – the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of Ministers...
. The winners are chosen on the basis of online voting , which is open until 31 October each year.
Georgieva, in discussing the situation in the Gaza Strip
Gaza Strip
thumb|Gaza city skylineThe Gaza Strip lies on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Strip borders Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the south, east and north. It is about long, and between 6 and 12 kilometres wide, with a total area of...
, said that she believes that the "humanitarian crisis...was artificially created because of the [Israeli] blockade," but added that the idea of a flotilla
Gaza flotilla raid
The Gaza flotilla raid was a military operation by Israel against six ships of the "Gaza Freedom Flotilla" on 31 May 2010 in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea...
is not the correct action to take: "We are not in favor of attempts to help people in this way."
External links
- Kristalina Georgieva Official Media Gallery
- Kristalina Georgieva on the World Bank website
- Official Facebook
- Official blog
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