Guest Speaker from the International Energy Agency

Rebecca Gaghen from the International Energy Agency came to AGS on December 3 as a guest speaker to talk about the mission, challenges and inner workings of IEA.

The International Energy Agency was established in 1974. Its mission to ensure international energy security, encourage economic growth and promote environmental protection through the joint efforts its 28 member governments in sharing energy information, co-ordinating energy policies and co-operating in the development of rational energy programs. Its members are also committed to taking joint measures to meet oil supply emergencies.

Mrs. Gaghen has worked with the IEA since 2001. She is head of the Communication and Information Office of the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris. In this capacity, she oversees the research and reference center as well as IEA publications, press relations and online communications. Before being named to this position in January 2006, Ms. Gaghen was Special Advisor to the Executive Director of the IEA.

From August 1998 to January 2001, Ms. Gaghen was Deputy Chief of Staff for International Affairs to U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson. Previous to her appointment to the Energy Department, Ms. Gaghen served as a Foreign Service Officer, specializing in economic issues, at the U.S. Department of State. Her diplomatic postings included the United Nations, where she was assigned to cover Security Council issues, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. Ms. Gaghen holds a B.A. in International Relations/Government (cum laude) from Harvard University and an M.A. in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

AGS students Shauneen Grout, Nora Hartmann and Evan Musolino (class of 2011) jointly comment: "Rebecca Gaghen was extremely instructive about the various work that the IEA does, especially with regard to the ongoing threat of coal mining countries who are putting the environment in grave danger when they sell it to countries who burn it without consequence. She also touched on the perception of the IEA as a "rich states club". She was informative and frank about the role of the IEA and its continuously evolving mandate."