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Revision as of 14:47, 9 October 2009 editIain1970 (talk | contribs)5 edits Undid revision 318460995 by 76.124.156.37 (talk) Libellous claims about govt service, which endanger people in KabulTag: references removed← Previous edit Revision as of 14:51, 9 October 2009 edit undoIain1970 (talk | contribs)5 edits False claims about his languages - part of a number perhaps designed to undermine his standing for electionNext edit →
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Stewart, whose family hail from Crieff in ], ], was born in ], raised in ] and Scotland and educated at the ], ] and ], where he studied modern history and politics, philosophy and economics. While a student at Oxford, he was a summer tutor to ] and ]. Stewart, whose family hail from Crieff in ], ], was born in ], raised in ] and Scotland and educated at the ], ] and ], where he studied modern history and politics, philosophy and economics. While a student at Oxford, he was a summer tutor to ] and ].


After a brief period as an officer in the British Army (the ]), Stewart joined the ]. He served in the British Embassy in ] from 1997 to 1999, working on issues related to ] independence, and as the British Representative to ] in the wake of the ] campaign. From 2000 to 2002 he walked across ], ], Afghanistan, ] and ], a journey of 6000 miles, during which time he stayed in five hundred different village houses.<ref>http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/photography/afghanistan/rory-stewart.html</ref> After the ], he was appointed Coalition Deputy Governor of ] and Senior Advisor in ], two provinces in southern ]. His responsibilities included holding elections, resolving tribal disputes and implementing development projects. He faced an incipient civil war and growing civil unrest from his base in CIMIC house in Al Amara and in May 2004, was in command of his compound in Nasiriyah when it was besieged by Sadrist militia. He was made an ] for his service in Iraq at the age of 31. That year, he also became a Fellow at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard University and completed his second book. In 2005, he founded an ], the ] (a reference to ], the greatest indigenous Afghan capital of the middle ages), in Afghanistan and moved to Kabul. He has travelled extensively, most prominently throughout ] and ]. After a brief period as an officer in the British Army (the ]), Stewart joined the ]. He served in the British Embassy in ] from 1997 to 1999, working on issues related to ] independence, and as the British Representative to ] in the wake of the ] campaign. From 2000 to 2002 he walked across ], ], Afghanistan, ] and ], a journey of 6000 miles, during which time he stayed in five hundred different village houses.<ref>http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/photography/afghanistan/rory-stewart.html</ref> After the ], he was appointed Coalition Deputy Governor of ] and Senior Advisor in ], two provinces in southern ]. His responsibilities included holding elections, resolving tribal disputes and implementing development projects. He faced an incipient civil war and growing civil unrest from his base in CIMIC house in Al Amara and in May 2004, was in command of his compound in Nasiriyah when it was besieged by Sadrist militia. He made an ] for his service in Iraq at the age of 31. That year, he also became a Fellow at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard University and completed his second book. In 2005, he founded an ], the ] (a reference to ], the greatest indigenous Afghan capital of the middle ages), in Afghanistan and moved to Kabul. He has traveled extensively, most prominently throughout ] and ].


His first book, '']'' was an account of his solo walk across Afghanistan in the winter of 2001-2002. It was a ] bestseller, was named one of the New York Times' 10 notable books in 2006 and was hailed by the Times as a 'flat-out masterpiece'. It won the ] ], a Scottish Arts Council prize, the Spirit of Scotland award and the Premio de Literatura de Viaje Caminos del Cid. It was short-listed for the ] and the ] The book was adapted into a radio play by ] and was broadcast in 2007 on BBC Radio 4. Stewart's second book, Occupational Hazards (UK title) or '']'' (US title), describes his experiences governing in Iraq <ref>http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=7188; http://www.rorystewartbooks.com/rory_stewart.htm</ref>. It too was critically acclaimed with ''The New York Times'' saying "Stewart seems to be living one of the most remarkable lives on record." His books have been translated into French, Spanish, German, Danish, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Lithuanian and Bosnian. Stage versions, TV documentaries and film scripts have been optioned. His first book, '']'' was an account of his solo walk across Afghanistan in the winter of 2001-2002. It was a ] bestseller, was named one of the New York Times' 10 notable books in 2006 and was hailed by the Times as a 'flat-out masterpiece'. It won the ] ], a Scottish Arts Council prize, the Spirit of Scotland award and the Premio de Literatura de Viaje Caminos del Cid. It was short-listed for the ] and the ] The book was adapted into a radio play by ] and was broadcast in 2007 on BBC Radio 4. Stewart's second book, Occupational Hazards (UK title) or '']'' (US title), describes his experiences governing in Iraq <ref>http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=7188; http://www.rorystewartbooks.com/rory_stewart.htm</ref>. It too was critically acclaimed with ''The New York Times'' saying "Stewart seems to be living one of the most remarkable lives on record." His books have been translated into French, Spanish, German, Danish, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Lithuanian and Bosnian. Stage versions, TV documentaries and film scripts have been optioned.


Until 2009, when he took up his position at Harvard, Stewart resided in ], where he established and then served as as Chief Executive of The ]. Turquoise Mountain is a not-for-profit, ] whose mission it is to regenerate Afghanistan's traditional crafts and historic areas, creating jobs, skills, and a renewed sense of national identity. Its focus is the regeneration of Murad Khane, a district of Kabul’s old city and support to its community. The Foundation's projects stretch from water supply and building repair to elementary schools and clinics. Its center is an Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture in Kabul, which provides education for both men and women in traditional artisan skills, such as woodwork, calligraphy, ceramics and jewelery. It has a business development program which is working to revive Afghanistan’s traditional craft economy and bring income to sustain Murad Khane and an active cultural department which launched Afghanistan's first contemporary art prize and curated a very successful pavilion of Iranian, Afghan and Pakistani art at the Venice Biennale. Turquoise Mountain has received financial support from the ] (CIDA), ] and a number of other private foundations and individuals, from the Middle East, Europe, the United States, China and Canada. He has been the subject of hundreds of newspaper articles and TV and radio interviews. Some of this has focused on his government service in Iraq, some on his trek across Afghanistan, some on his books and some on his non-profit work. . Until 2009, when he took up his position at Harvard, Stewart resided in ], where he established and then served as as Chief Executive of The ]. Turquoise Mountain is a not-for-profit, ] whose mission it is to regenerate Afghanistan's traditional crafts and historic areas, creating jobs, skills, and a renewed sense of national identity. Its focus is the regeneration of Murad Khane, a district of Kabul’s old city and support to its community. The Foundation's projects stretch from water supply and building repair to elementary schools and clinics. Its center is an Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture in Kabul, which provides education for both men and women in traditional artisan skills, such as woodwork, calligraphy, ceramics and jewelery. It has a business development program which is working to revive Afghanistan’s traditional craft economy and bring income to sustain Murad Khane and an active cultural department which launched Afghanistan's first contemporary art prize and curated a very successful pavilion of IRanian, Afghan and Paksitani art at the Venice Biennale. Turquoise Mountain has received financial support from the ] (CIDA), ] and a number of other private foundations and individuals, from the Middle East, Europe, the United States, China and Canada. He has been the subject of hundreds of newspaper articles and TV and radio interviews. Some of this has focused on his government service in Iraq, some on his trek across Afghanistan, some on his books and some on his non-profit work. .


Many of Stewart's articles (which have appeared in newspapers and magazines from the New York Times and the Guardian to the London and New York Review of Books), like his interviews on CNN, Al Jazeera, the BBC and Channel 4, have cautioned against over-ambitious foreign interventions, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan. His 2008 cover article in Time Magazine, where he debated against Presidential candidates Obama and McCain, arguing against a troop surge in Afghanistan has been shortlisted for an American Journalism Association Award. Many of Stewart's articles (which have appeared in newspapers and magazines from the New York Times and the Guardian to the London and New York Review of Books), like his interviews on CNN, Al Jazeera, the BBC and Channel 4, have cautioned against over-ambitious foreign interventions, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan. His 2008 cover article in Time Magazine, where he debated against Presidential candidates Obama and McCain, arguing against a troop surge in Afghanistan has been shortlisted for an American Journalism Association Award.


In July 2008 he was appointed Ryan Professor of Human Rights at Harvard University and the Director of the Kennedy School's Carr Center for Human Rights Policy. He has frequently been called on to provide advice on Afghanistan and Iraq to policy-makers, particularly in the US, UK and Canada. Having acceded to the position on January 1st, 2009, he combines the role with his charitable work in Afghanistan and with service on a number of boards including the International Development Research Council of Canada. He has recruited into his Harvard center authorities on Afghanistan such as Paul Fishtstein and Michael Sempel and authorities on international intervention such as ESI director Gerald Knaus. In July 2008 he was appointed Ryan Professor of Human Rights at Harvard University and the Director of the Kennedy School's Carr Center for Human Rights Policy. He has frequently been called on to provide advice on Afghanistan and Iraq to policy-makers, particularly in the US, UK and Canada. Having acceded to the position on January 1st, 2009, he combines the role with his charitable work in Afghanistan and with service on a number of boards including the International Development Research Council of Canada. He has recruited into the his Harvard center authorities on Afghanistan such as Paul Fishtstein and Michael Sempel and authorities on international intervention such as ESI director Gerald Knaus.


He has expressed interest in becoming a parliamentary candidate for the Conservative party and is one of seven candidates shortlisted for the Conservative ] open primary on 17 October 2009.<ref>http://www.iaindale.net/questions/</ref> He has expressed interest in becoming a parliamentary candidate for the Conservative party and is one of seven candidates shortlisted for the Conservative ] open primary on 17 October 2009.<ref>http://www.iaindale.net/questions/</ref>


Stewart has some acquaintance with French, ], ], ] and ], Serbo-Croat, ], ], ], ], and basic knowledge of ]. He also studied when at school Chinese, Russian, classical Latin and Greek. Stewart has some acquaintance with French, ], ], Serbo-Croat, ], ], ] (He also studied when at school Chinese, Russian, classical Latin and Greek).


== Miscellaneous == == Miscellaneous ==

Revision as of 14:51, 9 October 2009

Rory Stewart
Born1973
Hong Kong
NationalityBritish
Alma materBalliol College, Oxford University
Known forWalking across Afghanistan, governing a province in Iraq
AwardsOfficer of the Order of the British Empire for service in Iraq; Ondaatje Prize, a Scottish Arts Council prize, the Spirit of Scotland award and the Premio de Literatura de Viaje Caminos del Cid for The Places in Between
Scientific career
FieldsPublic policy, human rights
InstitutionsKennedy School of Government, Harvard
Turquoise Mountain Foundation

Rory Stewart, OBE (born 1973), is an author and academic who was formerly a British soldier and diplomat. He is currently the Ryan Family Professor of the Practice of Human Rights and the Director of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He formerly served in the British Army and in the British Foreign Service, where he worked in Indonesia and the Balkans and, most famously, as governor of a province of occupied Iraq in 2003-2004. He is known for his book about this experience, The Prince of the Marshes, his epic 2000-2002 walk across Afghanistan, which served as the basis for another book, The Places in Between, and his later cultural development work in Afghanistan.

Biography

Stewart, whose family hail from Crieff in Perthshire, Scotland, was born in Hong Kong, raised in Malaysia and Scotland and educated at the Dragon School, Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford, where he studied modern history and politics, philosophy and economics. While a student at Oxford, he was a summer tutor to Prince William and Prince Harry.

After a brief period as an officer in the British Army (the Black Watch), Stewart joined the Foreign Office. He served in the British Embassy in Indonesia from 1997 to 1999, working on issues related to East Timor independence, and as the British Representative to Montenegro in the wake of the Kosovo campaign. From 2000 to 2002 he walked across Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, India and Nepal, a journey of 6000 miles, during which time he stayed in five hundred different village houses. After the coalition invasion of Iraq, he was appointed Coalition Deputy Governor of Maysan and Senior Advisor in Dhi Qar, two provinces in southern Iraq. His responsibilities included holding elections, resolving tribal disputes and implementing development projects. He faced an incipient civil war and growing civil unrest from his base in CIMIC house in Al Amara and in May 2004, was in command of his compound in Nasiriyah when it was besieged by Sadrist militia. He made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his service in Iraq at the age of 31. That year, he also became a Fellow at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard University and completed his second book. In 2005, he founded an NGO, the Turquoise Mountain Foundation (a reference to Turquoise Mountain, the greatest indigenous Afghan capital of the middle ages), in Afghanistan and moved to Kabul. He has traveled extensively, most prominently throughout Iraq and Afghanistan.

His first book, The Places in Between was an account of his solo walk across Afghanistan in the winter of 2001-2002. It was a New York Times bestseller, was named one of the New York Times' 10 notable books in 2006 and was hailed by the Times as a 'flat-out masterpiece'. It won the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize, a Scottish Arts Council prize, the Spirit of Scotland award and the Premio de Literatura de Viaje Caminos del Cid. It was short-listed for the Guardian First Book Award and the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize The book was adapted into a radio play by Benjamin Yeoh and was broadcast in 2007 on BBC Radio 4. Stewart's second book, Occupational Hazards (UK title) or The Prince of the Marshes: And Other Occupational Hazards of a Year in Iraq (US title), describes his experiences governing in Iraq . It too was critically acclaimed with The New York Times saying "Stewart seems to be living one of the most remarkable lives on record." His books have been translated into French, Spanish, German, Danish, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Lithuanian and Bosnian. Stage versions, TV documentaries and film scripts have been optioned.

Until 2009, when he took up his position at Harvard, Stewart resided in Kabul, where he established and then served as as Chief Executive of The Turquoise Mountain Foundation. Turquoise Mountain is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation whose mission it is to regenerate Afghanistan's traditional crafts and historic areas, creating jobs, skills, and a renewed sense of national identity. Its focus is the regeneration of Murad Khane, a district of Kabul’s old city and support to its community. The Foundation's projects stretch from water supply and building repair to elementary schools and clinics. Its center is an Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture in Kabul, which provides education for both men and women in traditional artisan skills, such as woodwork, calligraphy, ceramics and jewelery. It has a business development program which is working to revive Afghanistan’s traditional craft economy and bring income to sustain Murad Khane and an active cultural department which launched Afghanistan's first contemporary art prize and curated a very successful pavilion of IRanian, Afghan and Paksitani art at the Venice Biennale. Turquoise Mountain has received financial support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), The Prince's Charities Foundation and a number of other private foundations and individuals, from the Middle East, Europe, the United States, China and Canada. He has been the subject of hundreds of newspaper articles and TV and radio interviews. Some of this has focused on his government service in Iraq, some on his trek across Afghanistan, some on his books and some on his non-profit work. .

Many of Stewart's articles (which have appeared in newspapers and magazines from the New York Times and the Guardian to the London and New York Review of Books), like his interviews on CNN, Al Jazeera, the BBC and Channel 4, have cautioned against over-ambitious foreign interventions, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan. His 2008 cover article in Time Magazine, where he debated against Presidential candidates Obama and McCain, arguing against a troop surge in Afghanistan has been shortlisted for an American Journalism Association Award.

In July 2008 he was appointed Ryan Professor of Human Rights at Harvard University and the Director of the Kennedy School's Carr Center for Human Rights Policy. He has frequently been called on to provide advice on Afghanistan and Iraq to policy-makers, particularly in the US, UK and Canada. Having acceded to the position on January 1st, 2009, he combines the role with his charitable work in Afghanistan and with service on a number of boards including the International Development Research Council of Canada. He has recruited into the his Harvard center authorities on Afghanistan such as Paul Fishtstein and Michael Sempel and authorities on international intervention such as ESI director Gerald Knaus.

He has expressed interest in becoming a parliamentary candidate for the Conservative party and is one of seven candidates shortlisted for the Conservative Bracknell constituency open primary on 17 October 2009.

Stewart has some acquaintance with French, Persian, Indonesian, Serbo-Croat, Urdu, Nepali, Basque (He also studied when at school Chinese, Russian, classical Latin and Greek).

Miscellaneous

- On 25 January 2008 Stewart was the guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, and chose the dubplate Gunman as one of his selected discs.

- In August 2008, the UK media widely reported that Studio Canal and Brad Pitt's production company Plan B had bought the rights to a biopic of Stewart's life. The actor Orlando Bloom will apparently play Stewart. That Brad Pitt had bought the rights was confirmed on Lateline, on Australia's ABC on the 29th of July.

Notes

  1. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/photography/afghanistan/rory-stewart.html
  2. http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=7188; http://www.rorystewartbooks.com/rory_stewart.htm
  3. http://www.iaindale.net/questions/
  4. http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/people,1283,orlando-bloom-to-make-a-star-of-rory,40629

Books

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