Keynote Speaker

NWMUN 2013 Keynote Speaker: Paula Schriefer,

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs

Paula Schriefer joined the Bureau of International Organization Affairs as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State on May 7, 2012. Prior to assuming this position, Ms Schriefer was vice president for global programs at Freedom House, where she oversaw Freedom House's global activities on freedom of expression, internet freedom, religious freedom, and advocacy efforts at the United Nations.

From 2006-2011, Ms. Schriefer was Director of Advocacy for Freedom House, overseeing all of its outreach and communications activities, including foreign policy advocacy, press relations, and coordination with international organizations. From 2001 to 2006 she served as its Director of Programs, overseeing nearly two dozen major program initiatives and thirteen overseas offices established to support independent media, open and transparent governance, civil society development, justice sector reform, and the defense of human rights.

In addition to Freedom House, Ms. Schriefer has worked at the National Forum Foundation and the National Endowment for Democracy. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. degree in Russian Area Studies from the University of Denver and completed coursework for an M.A. in Russian and Eastern European Studies at George Washington University.

More On Paula Schriefer:

Paula Schriefer's address to UN-Women Executive Board

Paula Schriefer's "Parting Thoughts" upon leaving Freedom House

State’s Schriefer on Achievements of U.N. Human Rights Council