Mohamed ElBaradei

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Mohamed ElBaradei

Role / Field:

Egyptian lawyer, diplomat, and former IAEA Director General known for nuclear non-proliferation efforts.

Born:

1942-06-17

Century / Era:

1942s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Mohamed Mostafa ElBaradei (Arabic: محمد مصطفى البرادعي, romanized: Muḥammad Muṣṭafá al-Barādaʿī, Egyptian Arabic: [mæˈħæmːæd mosˈtˤɑfɑ (ʔe)lbæˈɾædʕi]; born 17 June 1942) is an Egyptian lawyer, diplomat, and politician who served as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 1997 to 2009 and as interim vice president of Egypt in 2013. As Director General of the IAEA, ElBaradei oversaw the agency during inspections in Iraq preceding the 2003 invasion of Iraq and disputes over the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea. He and the IAEA were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 "for their efforts to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes and to ensure that nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is used in the safest possible way". After leaving the IAEA, ElBaradei founded the National Association for Change and became a prominent opposition figure during the 2011 Egyptian revolution. Following the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état, ElBaradei was appointed vice president but resigned in protest over the Rabaa massacre.

Career & Major Achievements

ElBaradei was born and raised in Giza Governorate, Greater Cairo, Egypt. He was one of five children of Mostafa ElBaradei, an attorney who headed the Egyptian Bar Association. ElBaradei's father was also a supporter of democratic rights in Egypt, supporting a free press and an independent judiciary. Following in the footsteps of his father, Mostafa, ElBaradei also studied law. He earned a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Cairo in 1962, a master's degree LLM in 1971 and a doctorate degree JSD in international law in 1974 from the New York University School of Law.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His thesis was titled "The right of passage through straits in time of peace". ElBaradei's diplomatic career began in 1964 in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he served in the Permanent Missions of Egypt to the UN in New York and in Geneva, in charge of political, legal, and arms-control issues. From 1974 to 1978, he was a special assistant to the foreign minister. In 1980, he became a senior fellow in charge of the International Law Program at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). From 1981 to 1987, he was also an adjunct professor of international law at the New York University School of Law.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1942 (1942-06-17): Birth of Mohamed ElBaradei — Egyptian lawyer, diplomat, and former IAEA Director General known for nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
2. 1962: 1962 Milestone — He earned a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Cairo in 1962, a master's degree LLM in 1971 and a doctorate degree JSD in international law in 1974 from the New York University School of Law.
3. 1964: 1964 Milestone — ElBaradei's diplomatic career began in 1964 in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he served in the Permanent Missions of Egypt to the UN in New York and in Geneva, in charge of political, legal, and arms-control issues.
4. 1974: 1974 Milestone — From 1974 to 1978, he was a special assistant to the foreign minister.
5. 1980: 1980 Milestone — In 1980, he became a senior fellow in charge of the International Law Program at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
6. 1981: 1981 Milestone — From 1981 to 1987, he was also an adjunct professor of international law at the New York University School of Law.
7. 2003: 2003 Milestone — As Director General of the IAEA, ElBaradei oversaw the agency during inspections in Iraq preceding the 2003 invasion of Iraq and disputes over the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea.
8. 2005: 2005 Milestone — He and the IAEA were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 "for their efforts to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes and to ensure that nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is used in the safest possible way".
9. 2011: 2011 Milestone — After leaving the IAEA, ElBaradei founded the National Association for Change and became a prominent opposition figure during the 2011 Egyptian revolution.
10. 2013: 2013 Milestone — Following the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état, ElBaradei was appointed vice president but resigned in protest over the Rabaa massacre.

Notable Quotes by Mohamed ElBaradei

“for international organizations to enjoy the confidence and support of their members, they have to be responsive to [members'] needs; show concrete achievements...” (1997)

“One of the main purposes of the strengthened-safeguards system can be better achieved with global adherence.” (1998)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Mohamed ElBaradei

True or False: “Mohamed ElBaradei was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for his work on nuclear non-proliferation.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The award recognized efforts to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes and ensuring its safe use for peaceful aims.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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Frequently Asked Questions about Mohamed ElBaradei