U.N. diplomat to speak at Yale as Chubb Fellow

Ambassador João Vale de Almeida, head of the delegation of the European Union (EU) to the United Nations, will visit the campus as a Chubb Fellow on Wednesday, Nov. 30.

As part of his visit, Vale de Almeida will give a talk at 4:30 p.m. in Burke Auditorium, Kroon Hall, 195 Prospect St. The event is free and open to the public. In his talk he will discuss the Paris Agreement and climate change, among other topics. Watch the talk on livestream here.

Vale de Almeida is a senior European Union diplomat who was appointed as EU ambassador to the United Nations in 2015. He previously served as the first EU ambassador to the United States from 2010 to 2014. In Washington, he is actively engaged in strengthening EU/U.S. relations and was critical to the launching of negotiations of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.

Prior to his appointment in Washington, Vale de Almeida served as director general of external relations of the European Commission, the European Union’s executive body. As the most senior official under the authority of the high representative/vice-president, Vale de Almeida helped formulate and execute the EU’s foreign policy and played a key role in preparing for the new European External Action Service, introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon.

Vale de Almeida was decorated in 2011 by the President of the Republic of Portugal with the Grã-Cruz da Ordem do Infante D. Henrique (Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator).

The Chubb Fellowship was founded with a gift from Yale alumnus Hendon Chubb, and since 1949 has been one of Yale’s most prestigious honors conferred on visiting speakers. The fellowship, which is devoted to encouraging interest in public service, is administered by the head of Timothy Dwight College, currently Mary Lui. Chubb Fellows spend their time at Yale in close, informal contact with students and make an appearance open to the public. Former Chubb Fellows include Presidents George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, and Harry Truman; U.S. public servants Samantha Power, Susan Rice and Norman Mineta; authors Wendell Berry, and Toni Morrison; actors Morgan Freeman and Shah Rukh Khan; world leaders Aung San Suu Kyi and His Holiness the 17^th Karmapa; journalist Nicholas Kristoff; and many other nationally and internationally prominent citizens and leaders.