Harvard University Loeb House, November 25, 2024
I am honored to announce that Emmanuel Macron, President of France, is this year’s recipient of the Boston Global Forum’s World Leader for Peace and Security Award. He has distinguished himself as a political leader and public servant, culminating in his leadership role as the 25th and current President of France since 2017.
Emmanuel Macron studied philosophy at Paris Nanterre University, after which he earned a master’s degree in public affairs from Sciences Po and graduated from the École nationale d’administration. His early career included positions with France’s Inspectorate General of Finances and the investment bank Rothschild & Company.
From 2014 to 2016, under President François Hollande, he served as France’s Minister of Economics, Industry, and Digital Affairs. This experience prompted him to launch the En Marche political movement in 2016, which paved the way for his successful presidential bid. Elected in 2017 after defeating Marine Le Pen, Macron made history as France’s youngest president.
As President, Macron has enacted major domestic reforms, including changes to labor laws, taxation, and pension systems, while leading France’s transition to renewable energy. In foreign policy, he has advocated for a more integrated and sovereign European Union, believing that a united Europe can be a force for global peace. He has strengthened France’s international relations through strategic bilateral agreements with European nations and engaged in critical global trade negotiations.
President Macron has been proactive in Middle East diplomacy, engaging with regional leaders to promote peace and stability. His efforts extend to fighting climate change and poverty through the Paris Pact for People and the Planet, which unites nearly 70 countries, and the One Planet Summit, which has fostered international cooperation and environmental action.
In response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Macron emerged as a leading European advocate for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He has rallied EU members to impose sanctions on Russia and provided crucial humanitarian and military support to Ukraine while championing increased EU defense spending and the bolstering of NATO’s eastern flank.
In 2018, President Macron initiated the Paris Peace Forum to encourage collective governance and international cooperation in tackling global challenges. In the realm of technology, he has been a leader in advancing artificial intelligence for France and Europe, emphasizing the need for Europe to invest strategically in AI to remain competitive globally while seeking approaches to AI that strengthen the tech community and enhance democratic governance.
President Macron’s contributions to peace and security embody the ideals represented by the Boston Global Forum’s World Leader for Peace and Security Award. It is with great pleasure that I present this honor to French President Emmanuel Macron.
