William F. Shija
Encyclopedia
Dr. William Ferdinand Shija (born 1947) is a Tanzania
n politician
, the current Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
and a former member of the African Union
's Pan-African Parliament
.
. After receiving higher education in India
and the United States
, he taught communications in Tanzania.
from 1990 to 2005. During this time he held the positions of Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Minister for Energy and Minerals and Minister for Industries and Trade. He was a member of the Pan-African Parliament in 2004 and 2005 and chaired the Committee on Education, Culture, Tourism and Human Resources. He was appointed the first African Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association on September 9, 2006 and took up the position on January 1, 2007. His term will last five years.
.
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
n politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, the current Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, previously known as the Empire Parliamentary Association, is an organisation, of British origin, which works to support good governance, democracy and human rights...
and a former member of the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
's Pan-African Parliament
Pan-African Parliament
The Pan-African Parliament , also known as the African Parliament, is the legislative body of the African Union and held its inaugural session in March 2004. The PAP exercises oversight, and has advisory and consultative powers, lasting for the first five years...
.
Early career
Before entering politics, Shilja worked as a civil servant and a teacherTeacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
. After receiving higher education in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, he taught communications in Tanzania.
Politics
Shija was a member of the National Assembly of TanzaniaNational Assembly of Tanzania
The National Assembly of Tanzania and the President of the United Republic make up the Parliament of Tanzania. The current Speaker of the National Assembly is Hon. Anna Makinda, who presides over an assembly of 357 members.- History :...
from 1990 to 2005. During this time he held the positions of Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Minister for Energy and Minerals and Minister for Industries and Trade. He was a member of the Pan-African Parliament in 2004 and 2005 and chaired the Committee on Education, Culture, Tourism and Human Resources. He was appointed the first African Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association on September 9, 2006 and took up the position on January 1, 2007. His term will last five years.
Personal life
Shija is married with five children. Since assuming the post of Secretary-General of the CPA, he has lived in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.