Rama Yade – Keynote Speaker

Born in 1976 in Senegal, Rama Yade is a French high civil servant, politician and author.

After having graduated from Sciences-Po Paris in 2000 (MD), she began her career in 2002 as high civil servant in the committee on social affairs and training of the French Senate. In 2005, she was appointed communication director of the parliamentary TV network Public Sénat where she served for two years.

After being appointed as national secretary of the Union pour un Mouvement Populaire (UMP) in charge of Francophony, Rama YADE served from 2007 to 2010 as Assistant secretary of State in charge of Foreign Affairs and Human Rights in the first government of François Fillon, during the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy. In 2009, she was appointed minister for Sports in the second government of François Fillon. In 2010, She was appointed ambassador of France to UNESCO, where she served until 2012.

During past years, Rama Yade has developed a true expertise and deep interest for youth issues and children rights. She’s a recognized specialist of Education in France, in charge of Education in the shadow cabinet of the Union des démocrates et indépendants (UDI).

Rama Yade has published several books on youth and education issues (« Lettre à la jeunesse » and « Plaidoyer pour une instruction publique »), on minorities (« Noirs de France ») and on Human Rights (« Les droits de l’homme expliqués aux enfants de 7 à 77 ans.») Her last book is focused on her political experience (« Carnets de pouvoir, 2006-2013 »).