Nouréini Tidjani-Serpos

Nouréini Tidjani-Serpos
Born	15 January 1946 (1946-01-15) (age 65) Porto-Novo, Benin
Nationality	Beninese
Education	Doctorate in literature, University of Lille III (1987)
Spouse(s)	Rachel

Born the 15 January 1946 in Porto-Novo (Benin), Nouréini Tidjani-Serpos studied literature in France and obtained a PhD in the subject from the University of Lille III (1987).

As well as being fluent in several African languages (Yoruba, Fon, Éwé and Goun), he speaks English and French and reads Spanish fluently. N. Tidjani-Serpos is married and the father of two sons and two daughters.

High-level experience at the service of UNESCO

• As Minister-Counselor, Deputy Permanent Delegate (1991–1995), then Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Benin^[1] (1995–1998), he has actively contributed to the lifeblood of the organization as a member of the Executive Council. He was also a member of the Headquarters Committee (1991–1995 and 1997–1999), Recording Secretary of the International Conference on Cultural Policy Research (1998), President of the 11th General Assembly of Member-States to the World Heritage Convention, and a member of the Committee of the World Heritage Convention.
• As President of the Executive Council from 1995–1997, he exercised his mandate with devotion and a sense of measured confidence by systematically privileging dialogue and compromise. His actions as the President of the Executive Council won him the esteem of all his colleagues and the recognition of the General Conference.
• Since December 1998, he has been putting his experience, skills, and knowledge at the service of the Secretary of the organization, filling the role of Deputy Director-General in the African bureau, one of UNESCO's two largest priorities.
• Because of his experience and will to serve, Nouréini Tidjani-Serpos is presenting himself as a candidate in the succession of Koïchiro Matsuura, the current Japanese Director-General of UNESCO, who is leaving the organization in October 2009.

Humanist, intellectual and creator

Due to his intellectual qualities as a lettered man, Nouréini Tidjani-Serpos inscribes himself resolutely in a universal approach. He tries to promote a cross-sectoral approach and is thus sensible to the cultures of the world, to differences and to solidarity. As an essayist, literary critic, novelist and poet, Nouréini Tidjani-Serpos has published many works and more than a hundred articles in world renowned magazines. He was also co-director of the Nigerian Journal of Humanities, director of the “Journal of the Literary Society of Nigeria” and member of the editing committee of the magazine Présence Africaine. Like all poets, Nouréini Tidjani-Serpos is a man of truth, liberty, and justice. It is enough to read his poems to be convinced. Starting from his first job as a teacher, he has engaged himself in the mission to transmit knowledge, the same function which is at the center of UNESCO's activities. He has taught Comparative African Literature from 1972 to 1991 at the University of Paris VIII, at the National University of Benin, and at the Federal University of Benin City in Nigeria. In addition to his teaching roles, he has also performed numerous other management functions at the university: he was chair of the Modern Humanities department, a member of the administrative Council of the University for Social, Cultural, and Environmental research, President of the Council of Administration for the University of Benin City's secondary pilot school (1982–1985), and national President of the Association of Modern Literature of Nigeria (1980–1982).

Honorary distinctions

• 1992 : Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France)
• 1992: Commander of the Palmes académiques (France)
• 1996: Officer of the National Order of Merit (Benin)
• 2000: Officer of the National order of Mono (Togo)
• 2004: Officer of the National Order of the Ivory Coast
• 2005: Commander of the National Order of Benin
• 2008: Officer of the National Order of Niger

References

1. ^ "Israel row looms over Unesco race". BBC Online. 7 September 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8241361.stm. Retrieved 5 May 2011. 

External links

• Official site

Persondata
Name	Tidjani-Serpos, Noureini
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	15 January 1946
Place of birth	Porto-Novo, Benin
Date of death
Place of death