Irina Bokova served as the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) from 2009 to 2017, becoming both the first woman and the first person from Eastern Europe to hold that position. At UNESCO, she championed causes such as education for all, gender equality, cultural dialogue, and the protection of heritage Before leading UNESCO, Bokova had a diplomatic career in Bulgaria, including roles as a member of parliament, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador to France. She graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations and pursued further studies at the University of Maryland and the John F. Kennedy School of Government (Harvard University).
