Noeleen Heyzer
Encyclopedia
Noeleen Heyzer currently serves as the Executive Secretary of United Nations
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). She was appointed to the position by United Nations Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon
in July 2007.
Heyzer has extensive experience on issues related to women, gender, and development. In the early years of her career, she was a researcher for the World Employment Programme of the International Labor Organization and a fellow at the Institute of Development Studies
at University of Sussex
. While working for the Economic and Social Commission of Asian and the Pacific, she focused on the preparation for the Third World Conference on women and on youth employment. As Director of Gender Programme of the Asian and Pacific Development Center, she was a key player in the formulation of national development policies and programmes from a gender perspective and advised several Asian governments on gender issues.
Later on, she was appointed to head the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the leading UN agency to promote gender equality and empowerment of women. Under her leadership, UNIFEM played a vital role in helping countries to formulate and implement legislation and policies to ensure women's security and rights. At UNIFEM, she focused on promoting women's leadership in conflict resolution, ending violence against women, and combating HIV/AIDS from a gender perspective. She played an active role in the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.
Heyzer has served on many boards and advisory committees of international organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) Human Development Report, the UNDP Eminent Persons Group on Trade and Sustainable Development and the Commission on Globalization of the State of the World's Forum.
She obtained a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Singapore and a doctorate degree in social science from Cambridge University, United Kingdom
(Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge
).
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). She was appointed to the position by United Nations Secretary-General
United Nations Secretary-General
The Secretary-General of the United Nations is the head of the Secretariat of the United Nations, one of the principal organs of the United Nations. The Secretary-General also acts as the de facto spokesperson and leader of the United Nations....
Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he...
in July 2007.
Heyzer has extensive experience on issues related to women, gender, and development. In the early years of her career, she was a researcher for the World Employment Programme of the International Labor Organization and a fellow at the Institute of Development Studies
Institute of Development Studies
The Institute of Development Studies based at the University of Sussex is a global organisation for research, teaching and communications on international development....
at University of Sussex
University of Sussex
The University of Sussex is an English public research university situated next to the East Sussex village of Falmer, within the city of Brighton and Hove. The University received its Royal Charter in August 1961....
. While working for the Economic and Social Commission of Asian and the Pacific, she focused on the preparation for the Third World Conference on women and on youth employment. As Director of Gender Programme of the Asian and Pacific Development Center, she was a key player in the formulation of national development policies and programmes from a gender perspective and advised several Asian governments on gender issues.
Later on, she was appointed to head the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the leading UN agency to promote gender equality and empowerment of women. Under her leadership, UNIFEM played a vital role in helping countries to formulate and implement legislation and policies to ensure women's security and rights. At UNIFEM, she focused on promoting women's leadership in conflict resolution, ending violence against women, and combating HIV/AIDS from a gender perspective. She played an active role in the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.
Heyzer has served on many boards and advisory committees of international organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to...
(UNDP) Human Development Report, the UNDP Eminent Persons Group on Trade and Sustainable Development and the Commission on Globalization of the State of the World's Forum.
She obtained a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Singapore and a doctorate degree in social science from Cambridge University, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
(Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge
Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge
Lucy Cavendish College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. It is a women-only college, which admits only postgraduates and undergraduates aged 21 or over....
).