In this discussion, Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo will reflect on the debates and conversations as a participant of the 2018 Munich Security Conference. As newly elected rotating chair of the African Union, Rwanda takes the lead on the African continent on issues of economic and security policy and regional integration. On the international level, Rwanda is in the process of building its approach to partners in Asia and Europe. Domestically, it faces challenges such as securing access to reliable and sustainable energy-which impacts everything from industrialization, transportation, and economic growth to the development of human capacity. The event will be chaired by the Hertie School’s Professor for Security Policy and Diplomatic Practice and Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger.
Words of welcome
Helmut K. Anheier is President of the Hertie School of Governance and Professor of Sociology. His research centres on indicator systems, social innovation, culture, philanthropy, and organisational studies. Anheier is the principal academic lead of the Hertie School's annual Governance Report (Oxford University Press). He also holds a Chair of Sociology at Heidelberg University and serves as Academic Director of the Centre for Social Investment.
Keynote speaker
Louise Mushikiwabo is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East African Community of the Republic of Rwanda. She previously served as the Minister of Information in the Government of Rwanda. She is an author and public relations executive. She lived in the United States for 22 years, then briefly in Tunisia, before joining the Rwandan Cabinet in March 2008. She is the co-author of Rwanda Means the Universe (St. Martin’s Press, 2006) an intergenerational socio-historical memoir; and she has contributed many articles to newspapers and online magazines. She has given numerous televisions and radio talks on Rwandan issues, and collaborated on many award-winning documentary films. She is also the recipient of the 2004 Outstanding Humanitarian Award from American University’s School of International Studies. Ms. Mushikiwabo holds Languages and Interpretation degrees from the University of Delaware, USA.
Chair
Wolfgang Ischinger is Senior Professor for Security Policy and Diplomatic Practice at the Hertie School and Director of the school’s Centre for International Security Policy (CISP). He has been Chairman of the Munich Security Conference since 2008.
