Kennedy Graham
Ken teaches international politics and international law at the School of Law, Canterbury and Victoria University, and has previously worked for NGOs, the UN and as a diplomat. He was involved in negotiating the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, defending the policy as a NZ diplomat before the UN in Geneva and New York and was also Director of a UN programme in the Middle East. Having returned to New Zealand he now aspires to contribute his experience and perspectives to helping the country tackle the global problems we face.
Over the years Ken has developed a conviction of the need for Green principles in political action at a global & national level and also in individual lifestyles. Ken has work in ‘and survived’ ten countries, and loves them all. Having returned to New Zealand he now aspires to contribute his experience and perspectives to helping the country tackle the global problems we face through action in the Green Party and, hopefully, parliamentary service.
Background
Ken is Adjunct Senior Fellow at the School of Law, Canterbury, Christchurch; Senior Lecturer at Victoria University, Wellington; and a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe in Belgium. He teaches international politics and international law. Ken holds a B.Com from Auckland University, a BA Hons in Political Science from Victoria; an M.A. from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Boston (Fulbright); and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Victoria University. He was also a Fellow at Cambridge University, studying in the Global Security Programme. Ken has authored and edited five books including ‘The Planetary Interest – A New Concept for the Global Age’ – which looks at issues of climate change, sustainability and nuclear weapons from a global perspective.
Achievements
Ken lists his among his achievements his professional work in diplomacy, civil society (international NGOs) and the UN. He has a PhD in international relations, and was involved in negotiating the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, defending the policy as a NZ diplomat before the UN in Geneva and New York. He also did aid work in Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean, He subsequently ran the secretariat of Parliamentarians for Global Action (in New York) in the early ‘90s. Ken was Director of the UN University’s Leadership Academy in Jordan, Middle East, for three years including during the 9/11 period – ‘the most vivid experience of all’. In recent years he has been a senior consultant to the UN’s Dept. of Political Affairs, being involved in drafting reports to the Security Council.
Community involvements
He is Chairman of the Christchurch branch of the Institute for International Affairs, and is on the Canterbury Law Review Board and the Canterbury International Law Group. He was, briefly, a member of PACDAC – the ministerial public advisory group on arms control. He is also a member of advisory committees of the International Crisis Group in Europe.
Additional
Ken has been re-married for 16 years. He has two adult sons from earlier days and three granddaughters.
Personal statement
Over the years Ken has developed a conviction of the need for Green principles in political action at a global & national level and also in individual lifestyles. Ken has work in ‘and survived’ ten countries, and loves them all. Having returned to New Zealand he now aspires to contribute his experience and perspectives to helping the country tackle the global problems we face through action in the Green Party and, hopefully, parliamentary service.
Interests and hobbies
Ken enjoys classical music and opera, reggae and folk, philosophy and history, and follows rugby ‘passively yet passionately’.
Contacts
021-1766 868 (m); 03 351 4940 (h); or 03 364 2987 x 8784 (w).
Ken's blog: http://kengraham.blogspot.com/
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