New York, N.Y.(SMIWIRE,09.26.18)-The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, a non-profit interfaith organization, which for more than half a century has brought together corporate and religious leaders, statesmen and members of the world diplomatic corps who are dedicated to religious freedom, human rights and ctolerance, and its president and founder Rabbi Arthur Schneier, presented the 2018 Appeal of Conscience World Leader Award to Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. Johann Peter Rupert, Chairman of Compagnie Financiere Richemont, received the Appeal of Conscience Awards taking place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City.

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United States Treasury Secretary  Steven T. Mnuchin was the keynote speaker. Former United States Secretary of State , Dr. Henry Kissinger delivered the evening's address.

 

" The Appeal of Concience Foundation advances  the values of peace and religious liberty," said Secretary  Steven T. Mnuchin. " At a time when hostile actors continue 

to promote violence and intolerence, the Foundation is a powerful voice for more secure and prosperous future for all Americans and people around the world."

 

Secretary Mnuchin was introduced by Stephen A. Schwarzman, the Chairman and CEO of The Blackstone Group. Brian Moynihan, the Chairman and CEO of Bank of America introduced  Madam Lagarte and Dr. Kissinger and Maurice Levy, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Publicis introduced Mr. Rupert.

 

According to Rabbi Arthur Schneider, the president and founder of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, " Madam Lagarde is being recognized for her lifelong commitment to public service and for her exemplary leadership of the International Monetary Fund and espousing principles aligned with the interfaith

Appeal for Conscience Foundation and its efforts world-over. Mr. Rupert is being honored for his humanitarian efforts and generosity that have benefited education, the arts, advanced social justice and conservation of land."

 

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                      Photo:Appeal of Conscience/AP

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" I am honored to accept this award,"said Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund." The Appeal of Conscience Foundation's belief that freedom, democracy and human rights are the fundamental values that give nations of the world their best hope for peace, security and shared prosperity, is a belief shared by many, including us at the IMF. We also believe that resilent,

inclusive and sustainable economic growth will help lift millions more out of poverty."

 

" It is truly an honor to receive this award," said Johann Peter Rupert, Chairman of Compagnie Financiere Richemont ." Amidst the turbulence of a world-wide surge 

in xenophobia, The Appeal of Conscience Foundation reflects the critical need to support religious freedom and the rights of the individual regardless of background and ethnicity. The Foundation creates a space for business and religious leaders 

together to help advance peace and economic security."

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Secretary for Relations with States, Holy See, Archbishop Paul Gallagher delivered 

greetings.

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Notable Honorary Co-Chairs: Madeline K. Albright, James A. Baker III, Richard Blumenthal, Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, Jacob J. Lew, Carolyn B. Maloney, John D. Negroponte, Henry Paulson, Colin L. Powell, Robert E. Rubin, Charles E. Schumer, George P. Shultz, Lawrence H. Summers, Paul A. Volcker, James D. Wolfensohn.

 

Tribute Leadership Committee: Bernard J. Arnault, Len Blavatnik, John A. Catsimatidis, Michael L. Corbat, Paul J. Fribourg, Alex Gorski, Muhtar Kent,Hon. Ronald S. Lauder, Ralph and Ricky Lauren, Maurice Levy, Andrew N. Liveris,Hon. Earle I. Mack, Brian Moynihan, Michael Peterson, Anthony J. Pratt, Stephen A. Schwarzman, Masayoshi Son, Jerry I. Speyer. 

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CHRISTINE LAGARDE:

Born in Paris in 1956, Christine Lagarde completed high school in Le Havre and attended  Holton Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland. She then graduated from law school at University Paris X, and obtained a Master's degree from the Political Science Institute in Aix en Provence.

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After being admitted as a lawyer to the Paris Bar, she joined the international law firm of Baker & McKenzie as an associate, specializing in Labor, Anti-trust, and Merger & Acquisitions. A member of the Executive Committee of the Firm in 1995, Ms. Lagarde became the Chairman of the Global Executive Committee of Baker & McKenzie in 1999,

and subsequently Chairman of the Global Strategic Committe in 2004.

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Christine Lagarde joined the French government in June 2005 as Minister for Foreign 

Trade. After a brief stint as Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, in June 2007, she became the first woman to hold the post of Finance annd Economy Minister of a G-7

country.From July to December 2008, she also chaired the ECOFIN Council, which brings together Economics and Finance Ministers of the European Union, and helped 

foster international policies related to financial supervision, regulation, and strenghening global economic governance. As Chair of the G-20 when France took over

its presidency for the year 2011, she set in motion a wide-ranging work agenda on the reform of the international monetary system.

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On July 5, 2011, Christine Lagarde became the eleventh Managing Director of the IMF, and the first woman to hold that position. On February 19, 2016, the IMF Executive Board selected her to serve as IMF Managing Director for a second five-year term starting on July 05, 2016. Madam Lagarte was named Officer in the Legion d'honneur 

in April 2012.