Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of Latvia from 1999 to 2007, was honored as Distinguished Innovation Leader by the Michael Dukakis Institute on May 18 in Riga, Latvia.
Vaira Vike-Freiberga was elected President by the Parliament in 1999 and was re-elected for a second term of four years in 2003. Now, Vaira Vike-Freiberga currently serves as the President of the World Leadership Alliance-Club of Madrid, the world’s largest forum of former Heads of State and Government.
She has actively exercised the powers conferred to the President by the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia and has played a leading role in fostering Latvia’s membership in NATO and the European Union. Since 1999, she has received many medals and awards, twenty-seven Orders of Merit and ten honorary doctorates.
She is also an invited speaker at numerous international events. Outspoken pundit on social issues, moral values, European historical dialogue, and democracy, she was awarded the 2005 Hannah Arendt Prize for political thought.
Vaira Vike-Freiberga was honored as Distinguished Innovation Leader for her distinguished work in the humanities and social sciences by MDI. This is a preeminent title of MDI to honor political leaders, policymakers, business leaders, or thought leaders who has distinguished achievements in leading innovation their countries, areas, or industries.
