Seda Pumpyanskaya
Encyclopedia
Seda Pumpyanskaya is a Senior Adviser on Communications and Outreach to the Council of Europe
’s Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland
. Before being promoted for this position, from 2005 to 2010, she was the Council of Europe’s Director of Communication under then-Secretary General Rt. Hon. Terry Davis, also serving as a Member of the Executive Board.
From 1999 to 2004, she held several executive positions in public affairs and communications with the United Nations
, working in various locations worldwide, namely Guatemala, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Before joining the United Nations, Pumpyanskaya was a journalist and worked with some leading printed media in Moscow, including The New Times
and Russian Newsweek. From 1991 to 1996, she was Moscow bureau's Staff Correspondent for Spanish newspaper El País. She also worked for the BBC
in London from 1996 to 1997, where she was involved in making a documentary on Mikhail Gorbachev
and worked on a special feature on Pope John Paul II
, as well as other topics for the BBC’s 'Correspondent' programme. In 1995, she worked for Radio Free Europe in Prague.
Pumpyanskaya, who is a daughter of prominent Russian journalist Alexander Pumpyansky, was educated at Moscow State University
, followed by a year of studies at Harvard University
as a Nieman Fellow. She also completed several executive courses at INSEAD
, Said Business School
(Oxford University) and Henley Business School.
Pumpyanskaya is a member the European Association of Communication Directors. She actively participates in major global media events, networking with policymakers and senior media executives, including those organised by the World Association of Newspapers. She had multiple speaking engagements and moderated public events with many VIP speakers, including the last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, whom she brought to the Council of Europe for its 60th anniversary.
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
’s Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland
Thorbjørn Jagland
is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party, currently serving as the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe...
. Before being promoted for this position, from 2005 to 2010, she was the Council of Europe’s Director of Communication under then-Secretary General Rt. Hon. Terry Davis, also serving as a Member of the Executive Board.
From 1999 to 2004, she held several executive positions in public affairs and communications with the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, working in various locations worldwide, namely Guatemala, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Before joining the United Nations, Pumpyanskaya was a journalist and worked with some leading printed media in Moscow, including The New Times
The New Times (Russia)
The New Times, or Novoye Vremya , is a Russian language magazine in Russia established in 1943 in the Soviet Union. It is a small, liberal, independent Russian weekly news magazine, publishing for Russia and Armenia. During the Soviet times it followed the official line...
and Russian Newsweek. From 1991 to 1996, she was Moscow bureau's Staff Correspondent for Spanish newspaper El País. She also worked for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
in London from 1996 to 1997, where she was involved in making a documentary on Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev is a former Soviet statesman, having served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, and as the last head of state of the USSR, having served from 1988 until its dissolution in 1991...
and worked on a special feature on Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, as well as other topics for the BBC’s 'Correspondent' programme. In 1995, she worked for Radio Free Europe in Prague.
Pumpyanskaya, who is a daughter of prominent Russian journalist Alexander Pumpyansky, was educated at Moscow State University
Moscow State University
Lomonosov Moscow State University , previously known as Lomonosov University or MSU , is the largest university in Russia. Founded in 1755, it also claims to be one of the oldest university in Russia and to have the tallest educational building in the world. Its current rector is Viktor Sadovnichiy...
, followed by a year of studies at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
as a Nieman Fellow. She also completed several executive courses at INSEAD
INSEAD
INSEAD is an international graduate business school and research institution. It has campuses in Europe , Asia , and the Middle East , as well as a research center in Israel...
, Said Business School
Saïd Business School
Saïd Business School is the business school of the University of Oxford in England, located on the north side of Frideswide Square on the former site of Oxford Rewley Road railway station. It is the University's centre of learning for graduate and undergraduate students in business, management...
(Oxford University) and Henley Business School.
Pumpyanskaya is a member the European Association of Communication Directors. She actively participates in major global media events, networking with policymakers and senior media executives, including those organised by the World Association of Newspapers. She had multiple speaking engagements and moderated public events with many VIP speakers, including the last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, whom she brought to the Council of Europe for its 60th anniversary.