Anne Anderson (diplomat) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anne Anderson
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Anne Anderson in May 2013
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| Born | July 1952 (age 73) |
| Nationality | Irish |
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| Occupation | Irish ambassador to:
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| Children | Claire Anderson-Wheeler |
Anne Anderson, born in July 1952, is a well-known former Irish diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations. She was the 17th ambassador for Ireland in the United States. An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat sent by one country to another. She was also Ireland's Ambassador to the United Nations, the European Union, France, and Monaco. She was the first woman to hold each of these important roles.
Anne Anderson's Early Life
Anne Anderson was born in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland, in July 1952. Her mother was from County Limerick, and her father, who worked in healthcare, was from County Tipperary. Her family moved to Kilkenny when she was eight years old. Later, they moved to Portrane, County Dublin, when she was eleven.
Education and Family
Anne was a bright student. She graduated from University College Dublin at just 19 years old in 1972. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and politics. She also studied at King's Inns, where she received a diploma in legal studies. Anne has one adult daughter named Claire Anderson-Wheeler.
Anne Anderson's Diplomatic Career
Anne Anderson began her career in 1972 at the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs. This department helps manage Ireland's relationships with other countries.
Early Roles in Diplomacy
- From 1972 to 1976, she worked in the Department's Economic Division.
- She then moved to Geneva, Switzerland, from 1976 to 1980. There, she was a First Secretary at Ireland's office for the United Nations.
- From 1980 to 1983, she worked in the Political Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Working in the United States
In 1983, Anne moved to the United States. She worked at the Embassy of Ireland in Washington, D.C.. She was an economic attaché from 1983 to 1985, focusing on money and trade. Then, from 1985 to 1987, she was a press attaché, handling news and media. During this time, she became very interested in workers' rights. She learned a lot from American labor leaders like Tom Donahue and John Sweeney. Her daughter, Claire, was born in Washington in 1985.
Returning to Ireland
After her time in the U.S., Anne returned to Ireland.
- From 1987 to 1991, she was a Counsellor in the Anglo-Irish Division. This division worked on relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom.
- From 1991 to 1995, she was an Assistant Secretary General in Corporate Services. During this period, she helped create fair employment laws for Northern Ireland. She used the lessons she learned about fairness in the United States.
Leading at the United Nations
Anne returned to Geneva in 1995. She became Ireland's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. She held this important role until 2001.
- From 1999 to 2000, she was chosen to lead the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. She was the fourth woman ever to receive this honor.
- She also served as Vice-President of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in 1997.
- She chaired the Trade Policy Review Body at the World Trade Organization.
Representing Ireland in Europe
From 2001 to 2005, Anne worked in Brussels, Belgium. She was Ireland's Permanent Representative to the European Union. In 2004, Ireland held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Anne led the Irish team during this time and was named "Diplomat of the Year" by European Voice magazine.
Ambassador to France and Monaco
From July 2005 to 2009, Anne Anderson was Ireland's ambassador to France. At the same time, from January 2007 to 2009, she was also the ambassador to Monaco.
Second Term at the United Nations
After her time in Paris, she moved to New York City. From September 10, 2009, to 2013, she served again as Ireland's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Ambassador to the United States
On January 15, 2013, Anne Anderson was appointed as the first female ambassador of Ireland to the United States. She arrived in Washington, D.C. in August 2013. On September 17, she officially presented her credentials to President Barack Obama at the White House.
During her time in Washington, Anne focused on several key areas:
- She worked on U.S. immigration reform. This aimed to help Irish and other immigrants gain legal status.
- She focused on economic matters. She hoped to increase trade, investment, and tourism between Ireland and the U.S.
- She also worked to share and celebrate Irish culture in the United States.
Retirement and Current Activities
Anne Anderson retired from the Department of Foreign Affairs on June 27, 2017. Daniel Mulhall took over as Ireland's U.S. ambassador in August that year.
Even after retiring, Anne continues to be active.
- She joined an advisory board for the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund. This fund helps countries recover from conflict.
- She serves on the board of advisers for the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University.
- She is on the board of directors for the Druid Theatre Company.
- She is also an independent director on the board of directors of Smurfit Kappa, a packaging company.
- She wrote a book called Thinking With My Pen: Speeches from a Life in Diplomacy.
