AGS Hosts Pamela Ratiu from the Ratiu Democracy Centre as Guest Speaker

On October 16^th, the American Graduate School in Paris had the honor of hosting Pamela Ratiu as a guest speaker in the Foreign Policy Formulation and Diplomacy course led by Ambassador Michael Einik.

Pamela Ratiu is Executive Director to Romania of the U.K. registered Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation and of the Ratiu Forum, a project run in partnership with the London School of Economics' foreign policy think tank IDEAS, which is currently ranked leading university think tank in the world. She shared with AGS students her expertise drawn from her 30-year experience in international management in both the public and private sectors, actively supporting non-profit organizational development in Transylvania.

Pamela Ratiu joined Ratiu Democracy Centre in 2004 and has actively supported the partnership with Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in offering the Ion Ratiu Democracy Award to those fighting for democracy around the world. She has initiated the Ratiu Dialogues on Democracy, a series of lectures that aim to strengthen discussions and visions on democracy, reuniting professionals with diverse backgrounds who share an interest in current challenges faced by Balkan nations, with a particular emphasis on Romania. She is also coordinating the sustainability initiatives run by the Ratiu Foundation in Romania to support the local community projects of the Ratiu Democracy Centre. Throughout the years she developed a sustainability ecosystem in Turda, seat of the Ratiu family. This initiative includes social businesses in the field of hospitality and creates local employment opportunities.

Briana Jones, M.A. Candidate in the International Relations and Diplomacy Program (class of 2022) and President of the Student Association, comments: "Speakers such as this are so significant as it allows us to form connections and expand our network worldwide. Our professors and their connections add so much depth to our learning experience; it truly does tailor and personalize our student experience.”