Wikipedia

Folly Bah Thibault

Folly Bah Thibault (born 1978) is a French Guinean journalist, and senior presenter for Al-Jazeera English. She is recognised as one of the world's leading advocates for education[1][2][3][4] and the Founder of  Elle Ira à l’Ecole, a foundation promoting education for young girls in Guinea[5][6]

Folly Bah Thibault
Born1978 (age 45–46)
Conakry, Guinea
NationalityGuinean
EducationBachelor's degree, Howard University
United States
Master's degree American University
Washington, D.C.
Occupation(s)Journalist, news anchor
EmployerAl-Jazeera English
OrganizationAl-Jazeera
Known forFounder of "Elle Ira à l’Ecole"
Websitewww.follybahthibault.com

Early life

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Conakry, Guinea

Folly was born in Conakry, Guinea in 1978. She spent her early childhood years in Conakry before her family relocated to Nairobi, Kenya in 1987.[7]

Education

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Howard University

Folly Bah Thibault obtained a Baccalaureate in French literature with honours. She then pursued her higher education and earned a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism From Howard University in the United States, and a Master's degree in International communication from American University in Washington, D.C. She is fluent in French, English, and Peuhl, she also has a good understanding of Spanish and Swahili[8][9][10][11][12]

Career

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France 24 Television Studio
 
Al Jazeera English Newsroom

Folly Bah Thibault's broadcasting journey commenced nearly two decades ago at Voice of America in Washington D.C., where she hosted a show aimed at reuniting families separated by conflict in Sierra Leone and Liberia. She later worked for Radio France International in Paris before joining France24 television as an anchor. In 2010, she became a principal presenter for Al Jazeera English.[13][14][15] she has covered significant global events such as the Arab Spring and the conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Libya. She is recognized as one of the most prominent journalists globally, with her work shedding light on overlooked crises worldwide[16][17] Folly as a renowned moderator, hosted the first ever debate of candidates for United Nation Secretary General  post in July 2016, and as co-host of the Nobel Peace Prize Interview in Oslo in December 2016.[18][19][20] she has interviewed Peace Prize Laureates including former Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, Congolese Right Activist Denis Mukwege, Kailash Satyarthi, and Iraqi Campaigner Nadia Murad.[21][22][23]

Folly has also interviewed some of the world's top leaders like; Amina Mohammed, the highest-ranking woman at the United Nations, serving as Deputy Secretary-General, France's far right leader Marine Le Pen, former Kenya president Uhuru Kenyatta, former Senegal president Macky Sall, Nigerian playwright and activist Wole Soyinka, and Senegalese–American musician Akon.[24][25][26][27][28][29] She has extensively reported on global events of significant magnitude, including the 2004 tsunami and the historic election of Barack Obama as President of the United States in 2008. Her coverage extends beyond headline-grabbing events to encompass humanitarian and immigrant issues across the continents. Folly has moderated panel discussions and high level summits for organisations including the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union, and the Brookings Centre.[30][31][32][33]

In April 2023, Folly Bah Thibault was appointed as Global Champion for Education Cannot Wait's (ECW), the United Nations global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises.[34][35][36][37][38][39]

Personal life

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Folly is married and has three sons.[40]

References

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  1. ^ "Renowned Journalist Folly Bah Thibault Is ECW's New Global Champion | African Examiner". 2023-04-25. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  2. ^ "Al Jazeera's Folly Bah Thibault appointed to UN education fund". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  3. ^ "The Howard Experience". Tumblr. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  4. ^ "ECW High-Level Interview with New ECW Global Champion, Folly Bah Thibault". Inter Press Service. 2023-05-08. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  5. ^ "Folly Bah Thibault | Global Africa Business Initiative". gabi.unglobalcompact.org. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  6. ^ "Elle ira à l'école – Fondation Kesso Bah". Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  7. ^ "BIO – Folly Bah Thibault" (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  8. ^ Al Jazeera English (TV Series 2006– ) – IMDb. Retrieved 2024-04-12 – via www.imdb.com.
  9. ^ "BIO – Folly Bah Thibault" (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  10. ^ "Al Jazeera's Folly Bah Thibault appointed to UN education fund". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  11. ^ "Folly Bah Thibault". WISE. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  12. ^ "Folly Bah Thibault | Global Africa Business Initiative". gabi.unglobalcompact.org. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  13. ^ Reporter, Staff (2024-02-26). "Folly Bah Thibault: Championing Girls' Education Globally". SheSight. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  14. ^ "BIO – Folly Bah Thibault" (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  15. ^ "Folly Bah Thibault | Doha Forum". dohaforum.org. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  16. ^ "SS12_Folly Bah Thibault". Nairobi Summit. 2019-10-19. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  17. ^ Lubin, Gus (Mar 27, 2011). "Al Jazeera Confronts A Syrian Spokeswoman Over The Massacre Of Protesters". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  18. ^ "'We need solutions', not cynicism; UN Assembly President urges world leaders to do more to tackle global ills | UN News". news.un.org. 2019-09-24. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  19. ^ webmaster. "Al Jazeera to host Global Town Hall debate with UN sec-gen candidates". Al Jazeera to host Global Town Hall debate with UN sec-gen candidates. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  20. ^ "Focus on reform takes centre stage at UN debate". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  21. ^ "Interviews – Folly Bah Thibault" (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  22. ^ "Al Jazeera English to air live interview with 2016 Nobel Peace Prize winner". Al Jazeera Media Network. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  23. ^ "The Nobel Peace Prize 2016". NobelPrize.org. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  24. ^ Compact, UN Global (2023-09-21), Folly Bah Thibault, retrieved 2024-04-12
  25. ^ "africaupdates.com: News: Global Africa Business Initiative Announces World-class Lineup for 'unstoppable Africa' 2023 Event". www.africaupdates.com. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  26. ^ Atqnews (2015-02-07). "Akon ask African Americans to come back to Africa". ATQ News. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  27. ^ "Events 2022 Archive – Page 9 of 10". Global Goals Week. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  28. ^ "Presidential Lecture: H.E. Macky Sall, President of Senegal". www.wto.org. 2018-03-05. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  29. ^ "Folly Bah Thibault, the journalist on a mission for education". euronews. 2024-02-24. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  30. ^ "Focus on reform takes centre stage at UN debate". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  31. ^ "Books". Brookings. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  32. ^ "Events 2022 Archive – Page 9 of 10". Global Goals Week. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  33. ^ "Africa Special Event". UNFoodSystems. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  34. ^ "ECW Interviews Folly Bah Thibault, ECW Global Champion". Education Cannot Wait. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  35. ^ Ndungidi, Patrick (2023-04-28). "Folly Bah Thibault Appointed as Education Cannot Wait Global Champion". African Shapers. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  36. ^ Janjuha-Jivraj, Dr Shaheena. "Strengthening Entrepreneurship For Education In Guinea". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  37. ^ "Folly Bah Thibault Appointed as Education Cannot Wait Global Champion". Money Compass. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  38. ^ Nyarko, Nathan (2023-05-02). "FOLLY BAH THIBAULT – Newly Appointed Global Champion for Education Cannot Wait". Africa Leaders Magazine. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  39. ^ "Folly Bah Thibault Appointed as Education Cannot Wait Global Champion". Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  40. ^ "Folly Bah Thibault". WISE. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
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