DR. DAVIDSON HEPBURN

Ricardo P. Deveaux's Black History Month Spotlight: Dr Davidson Hepburn

The fifth in the Black History Month Series. The spotlight is His Excellency Dr. Davidson Hepburn, Diplomat, Outstanding Bahamian and Gentlemen of the HIGHEST Order.
Dr. Davidson Hepburn served as the President of the 35th session of United Nations Educational Science Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) General Conference. He served for 15 years at the United Nations, 10 of which as Ambassador of The Bahamas to the United Nations (UN). He has been involved with UNESCO since 1993 and has served as Chairman of The Bahamas National Commission to UNESCO, as well as Chairman of the Committee on Conventions and Recommendations.
Dr. Hepburn was born 7 December, 1932. He is extremely proud of his Cat Island roots.
Dr. Hepburn received a Bachelor of Arts from Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida in 1958; Master of Arts from Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan in 1962 and an earned Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) in Comparative Language and Literature from University of Madrid, Spain in 1966 and a Diploma in International Relations, International Institute, Geneva, Switzerland in 1972.
Dr. Hepburn’s professional experiences include: 2001 - present Chairman, Council of Governor General’s Youth Award, 2000 - Appointed Honorary Consul of Indonesia to The Bahamas, 1991-2005 – he served as Chairman, Bahamas National Commission for UNESCO; 1992-1997, he served as Manager, Human Resources, Coutts Bank (Bahamas) Limited; 1991-1992, he served as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Immigration & Employment; 1990-1991, he served as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism; 1988-1990, he served as Executive Director, Bahamas Quincentennial Commission; 1985-1990, he was the Non-Resident Ambassador of The Bahamas to Cuba; 1986-1988, he was the Non-Resident Ambassador of The Bahamas to Haiti; 1972-1984, he was Under Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; 1970-1972, he served as Director of Immigration and 1969-1970, he was First Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs.
Dr. Hepburn has extensive international exposure. 2001-2005, he was a Member of the Executive Board of UNESCO and Chairman of the Committee on Conventions & Recommendations; 1987, he was Chairman, Disarmament Commission, Belgrade, Yugoslavia; 1983, he was Head of Bahamas Delegation to Non-Aligned Conference, New Delhi, India; 1982, he was selected as Vice-Chairman, Second Special Session on Disarmament, U.N.; 1980, he was elected as the Vice-President, 35th Session of United Nations General Assembly; 1979, he was selected as the Chairman of First Committee, United Nations General Assembly; 1978-1988, he served as the Ambassador/Permanent Representative of The Bahamas to U.N.; 1973-1978, he served as Deputy Permanent Representative, The Bahamas Mission to U.N. and 1964-1969, he was an Assistant Professor of English Language & Literature, Alma College, Michigan.
His Awards and Honours include: 2008, Order of the British Empire (OBE); 1996, Chevalier of the French Legion d’Honneur, and Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary Club; 1982, Gold Award for Narration of document, BAHAMAS TOMORROW; and in 1971, he was awarded a Carnegie Fellow – International Relations, Geneva.
Dr. Davidson Hepburn delivered the 2011 Alma College commencement address. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree during the ceremony.
Dr. Hepburn is married to Dr. Ada Thompson-Heburn and is the father of one son. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is the former Chief Judge, The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program and currently serves as Co-Patron of The Awards Program along with Dame Dr. Ivy Dumont.

Provided by

Ricardo P. Deveaux
President & CEO
Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation

Source of information: UNESCO