Final Programme - 13th International Anti-Corruption Conference

Megaron Athens International Conference Centre• 1986-1989: Deputy Editor of Estonian daily newspaper “Rahva Hääl”• 1979-1986: Director of the Estonian Central Board of Savings Banks• 1975-1979: Finance Ministry of the Estonian Soviet Socialist RepublicKostas KaramanlisKostas Karamanlis was born in Athens in September 1956. He graduated from the Experimental Schoolof Athens. He studied at the Athens School of Law and continued with postgraduate studies at theFletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, U.S.A. He is a member of the Macedonian StudiesSociety and a member-advisor of the “Kostantinos K. Karamanlis” Foundation for life. During the periodfrom 1974-1979, he was a leading member of the Nea Demokratia Youth Organization (ONNED) and waselected many times at the students syndicates with DAP-NDFK. In 1986, he was elected President of theKIPEA peace movement and the Hellenic Center for the Promotion of the European Integration “Europe92”. From 1984 until 1989, he practiced law and contributed articles to the “Oikonomikos Tachydromos”periodical. In June 1989, he was elected as a Member of the Parliament with Nea Demokratia at the FirstDistrict of Thessaloniki. He was also secretary of the Parliament’s Board in 1989 and secretary of PoliticalPlanning of Nea Demokratia. In 1994, he was elected as member of the Central Committee of NeaDemokratia. On March 21, 1997 he was elected as President of the party by its 4th Congress. In February1999, he was elected as vice-chairman of the European People’s Party and, in 2002, he was re-elected inthe same position. In June 2002, he was elected as vice-chairman of the International Democrat Union.In 2001, he was appointed by the European People’s Party as head of the Western Balkan DemocracyInitiative (WBDI). In 2003, the European People’s Party, in recognition of his contribution, appointed himas Chairman of the Southeast European Forum. On March 7, 2004, as leader of Nea Demokratia, he wonthe national elections by a percentage of 45.36%, thus securing a parliamentary majority of 164 seatsover a total of 300. He was given the mandate to form a government by the President of the Republicand, on the March 10, he took the oath as Prime Minister and Minister of Culture. In the 16th September2007 parliamentary elections, Nea Demokratia secured, with a 41,83% of the votes, a parliamentarymajority of 152 seats (out of 300) and the President of the Republic asked the Prime Minister to form anew government. On the 19th of September, Mr. Karamanlis was sworn in for a new term in office. He ismarried to Natasa Pazaiti and father of twins, a son and a daughter.Irene KhanIrene Khan joined AI as Secretary General in August 2001.The first woman, first Asian and first Muslim to head the world’s largest human rights organization,she has led AI through developments in the wake of September 11, confronting the backlash againsthuman rights; broadening the work of the organization in areas of economic, social and cultural rights;and bringing a strong focus to the issue of women’s human rights and violence against women.Prior to joining AI she served with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, including as Deputy Directorin the Department of International Protection, Chief of Mission in India, Senior Legal Advisor for Asia andSenior Executive Officer to the High Commissioner.She is a recipient of the Pilkington “Women of the Year” award (2002), the John Owens DistinguishedAlumni award (University of Manchester - 2003) and the City of Sydney Peace Prize (2006). She is agraduate of Harvard Law School and the University of Manchester and was awarded honorary91