Through its Harvard Dialogues, our association seeks to stimulate intellectual debates with leaders who are transforming our world in a wide range of areas, including politics, business, academia, culture. Our past Distinguished Speakers featured (selective) :
Professor Joseph NYE
Former Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School and current Harvard Distinguished Service Professor.
Originator of the famous concept of « soft power », Prof. Nye is considered as one of the most influential foreign policy scholars in the world. In 2014, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry appointed Nye to the Foreign Affairs Policy Board.
At the Harvard Club of France, Prof Nye laid out the power shifts of the 21st century that he anticipates.
Ms Irina BOKOVA
Director General of UNESCO and Harvard alumna.
Ms Bokova spoke about the crucial importance of protecting cultures in times of war.
Enrique PENA NIETO
President of Mexico
In his keynote address, President Peña Nieto outlined his vision for Mexico in the 21st century.
Dr. Larry SUMMERS
Former President of Harvard University and former Director of the White House Economic Council for President Barack Obama.
Dr Summers, one of the world’s leading economists, delivered an insightful analysis of the upcoming economic challenges facing the developed world.
Prof. Emmanuel GAILLARD
One of the world’s leading international arbitration lawyers and a former Harvard Law School visiting professor.
Prof. Gaillard explained his strategy for winning the Yukos v. Russia case, the largest-ever arbitration award ($50 billion).
Dr. Drew FAUST
President of Harvard University and the first woman to ever serve in that position. She was ranked as the 33rd most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine in 2014.
Prof. Faust delivered an inspiring talk on her vision for Harvard to educate citizens, pursue academic excellence and train the world’s future leaders.
Guillaume PEPY and Julio GOMEZ-POMAR
Respectively CEOs of SNCF (France) and RENFE (Spain)
G. Peppy and J. Gomez-Pomar (harvard alumnus) shared their vision for bringing together European citizens and the lessons learned from their joint partnership.
Amory LOVINS
Chairman of the Rocky Mountain Institute and Harvard alumnus
Named by Time magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential people, Lovins discussed solutions to climate change, oil dependence and nuclear proliferation.
Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF
President of Liberia, Nobel Prize winner and Harvard alumna.
The 70th most powerful woman in the world according to Forbes magazine, Johnson Sirleaf explained her work for women’s rights and their participation in building peace.
Daniel FUNG in conversation with Dominique MOISI
Current member of China’s upper house and former Harvard visiting scholar, Daniel Fung is the first Chinese national to serve as Solicitor General of Hong-Kong.
D. Fung debated with D. Moïsi (harvard alumnus) about the future role of the new China-led Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the first post-Bretton Woods international institution.
Mamuka KUDAVA
Ambassador of Georgia to France and Harvard alumnus.
Amb. KUDAVA discussed the foreign policies of Georgia and Russia with Prof. Marie MENDRAS, a leading expert on Russian politics.
David WEINBERGER
Best-selling author, Internet guru and professor at Harvard Law School.
Prof. Weinberger gave a thought-provoking talk on the « The New Digital Disorder” — how digital technology is remaking business, education, politics, science and culture.
Nick LEEDER
CEO of Google France.
Nick Leeder revealed some of the key principles of innovation at Google and how the company fosters an innovative spirit with its employees.
Dr. Lobsang SANGAY
Sikyong (« Prime Minister ») of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and Harvard alumnus.
Dr Sangay gave an inspiring address on leadership and the threats posed by climate change to Tibet.
Burhan GAFOOR in conversation with Jacques ATTALI
Ambassador of Singapore to France and Harvard alumnus.
Amb. Gafoor discussed the 2009 financial crisis with Jacques Attali, considered as one of the top 100 global thinkers by Foreign Policy.
