Gisèle Bedan
Central African politician
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Gisèle Bedan (born Bangui, 1966) is a politician from the Central African Republic. She was Minister of National Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research from 2014 to 2015, serving in two governments.
Mahamat Kamoun
Gisèle Bedan | |
|---|---|
Gisèle Bedan | |
| Minister of National Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research | |
| In office 27 January 2014 – 16 January 2015 | |
| President | Catherine Samba-Panza |
| Prime Minister | André Nzapayeké Mahamat Kamoun |
| Preceded by | Rainaldy Sioke |
| Succeeded by | Éloi Anguimaté |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1966 (age 59–60) |
| Profession | Educationalist |
Biography
Bedan was born in 1966 in Bangui.[1] Her father worked as a diplomat and her mother was a teacher.[1]
In 1996, Bedan founded a 'low cost' school for young people in Bangui, which she managed until 2012.[1] She worked in education in France in 2013 at the Rostand High School, Paris.[2] She is founding member of the League for Education, Science and Culture in Africa (LESCA).[3]
Political career
Bedan was appointed to the post of Minister for Education on 27 January 2014, to serve in government under Prime Minister Andre Nzapayeké.[4] She was appointed by the President Catherine Samba-Panza.[2] During her tenure she worked with UNESCO to build a new cultural centre for young people in the 4th District of Bangui, laying the foundation stone with Director-General Irina Bokova.[5] She applied for $15.5million of funding to support education in the Central African Republic.[6] In 2014 she attended the Global Summit for Women.[7] She was also part of the governmental team who secured 5 million Euros for vocational training.[8] She has spoken out about the necessity of education, particularly in unstable countries.[9]
Bedan was also involved in diplomatic activity as a minister, including leading discussions about discrimination against peace-keeping soldiers from Chad.[10] This is involved tackling violence against foreign NGOs.[11]
Bedan's role as Minister was initially renewed by Mahamat Kamoun, but on 16 January 2015, when Kamoun formed his second government it was reneged.[12] Bedan claims she was forced to resign due to death threats.[13] The Ministry of Education is claimed to be 'unmanageable' due to corruption.[13]