The New School Graduate Program in International Affairs

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GPIA Seminar Series presents

Pakistan's Return to Democracy and Relations with the United States

a talk with Ambassador Rafat Mahdi

Wednesday, November 12th
6 p.m.
Orozco Room
66 W 12th St., 7th Floor

In the context of the political turmoil in Pakistan following President Musharaf’s resignation, the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007, and the 2008 elections, Ambassador Mahdi will speak about the future of Pakistani democracy and U.S.-Pakistan relations.

Rafat Mahdi is former Pakistani ambassador to the European Union, Zimbabwe, and Canada. He has also occupied a number of key posts at the United Nations, including Senior Political Affairs Officer for the Iraq Team of the Department of Political Affairs, Senior Officer for the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and Senior Political Affairs Officer for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. Ambassador Mahdi has also fulfilled important roles within Pakistan, including Chef de Cabinet to the Foreign Minister of Pakistan and Director General for the Americas at the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the early 1990s, Ambassador Mahdi was in charge of Pakistan's liaisons with the South African Government and made Pakistan's first official contact with Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress. Most recently, from 2007-2008, Ambassador Mahdi served as Senior Advisor to the Chairman of the Group of 77 at the United Nations.

Part of the Seminar Series.