The International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy 2010:
Culture, Globalization, and International Relations over the next Two Decades
(Berlin; May 23rd - 30th, 2010)
Sir Malcolm Leslie Rifkind
Former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Former Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom
Sir Rifkind's distinguished political career began in 1970 as a councillor in Edinburgh. In 1974 he was elected as member of parliament for the Conservative Party, representing his constituency for 23 years until 1997. He served in multiple ministerial positions, including Secretary of State for Transport, Secretary of State for Defence as well as Foreign Secretary from 1995 to 1997. He was one of only four ministers to serve throughout the whole Prime Ministerships of both Margaret Thatcher and John Major. Sir Rifkind was re-elected as a Member of Parliament in May 2005 for Kensington and Chelsea, serving as the Shadow Secretary of State for Work & Pensions and Welfare Reform until December 2005. In the upcoming British election, he is the Conservative Party candidate for the Kensington constituency.Receiving his education at George Watson's College and the University of Edinburgh, Sir Rifkind studied law and obtained a postgraduate degree in Political Science. He has worked as an Assistant Lecturer at the University College of Rhodesia, was called to the Scottish Bar in 1970 and practiced as an Advocate until 1974 with his election to parliament.
Sir Rifkind has also been active in a number of voluntary organisations. He is a member of the Dulverton Trust, a Vice President of Combat Stress and a Patron of Raleigh International. He has served on the Court of Edinburgh University and is an honorary colonel. He is a member of the Queen's Bodyguard, the Royal Company of Archers.
In 1997 he was knighted in recognition of his public service.
