Biography of H.E. Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika

CV Short Version | CV Long Version

Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika is currently Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to Belgium covering the Netherlands, Luxemburg and the European Union. Before her appointment to Brussels, Belgium, she was Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to the United States of America from 2003 to 2010. She served as Ambassador and Special Envoy to the Zambian President during his term as Chairman of the Organization for African Unity (OAU). Dr. Mbikusita-Lewanika served as a Member of Parliament in the Zambian Parliament from 1991 to 2001. She was the first Chairperson of the Zambia All Party Women Parliamentarians Caucus and Zambian Parliamentarians for Population Development. She was a founding Vice-Chairperson of the Southern, Eastern and Horn of Africa African Women Parliamentarian Caucus. Dr. Mbikusita-Lewanika is a founding member of the AMANI Forum, African Parliamentarians for Peace and Conflict Resolution. At a very critical time in Zambia just before national elections in 2001, Dr. Mbikusita-Lewanika chaired the National Crisis Committee of the Alliance of Opposition Political Parties. She is a former candidate for President of the Republic of Zambia in the December 2001 Elections and was a candidate for the Chair of the African Union Commission in 2008. She has been a member of the Haggai Institute Faculty since 1987. She is an Educator by profession and has worked in various levels of Education nationally and internationally.

Prior to her involvement in politics, Dr. Mbikusita-Lewanika worked with UNICEF in key leadership roles in Africa, covering forty-four countries. Jim Grant, the former head of UNICEF once called her “the most knowledgeable person about the children of Africa.” Dr. Mbikusita-Lewanika was among five women from various continents to brief members of the United Nations Security Council on the first and unprecedented debate that resulted in UN Resolution 1325 on WOMEN, PEACE and SECURITY in the year 2000. She was among sixteen (16) eminent African Women Members of the Organization of African Unity (now African Union) Committee on Peace and Development, an Advisory Group to the African Union.

She was President of Federation of African Women's Peace Networks (FERFAP) from 1997 to 2002. As President of the Federation of African Women Peace Networks (FEFAP) she contributed to mobilization of peace activities. In that capacity, she was selected to be among ten prominent African Women Peace Workers that visited Rwanda soon after the genocide. She later led a United Nations delegation to Burundi and Rwanda to assess the effects of the genocide on women and children and recommend intervention strategies. She led the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA) Observer Mission of 96 Southern African Academicians, Researchers and Members of Civil Society to the Zimbabwean Presidential, Mayoral and Council Elections in 2002.

As a Community Activist she has worked with national and international NGOs for the last four decades. As a Member of Parliament, she facilitated the establishment of community organizations for Rural Development.

Her lifelong passion and commitment are Child and Youth Development. She served as a founding Board Member of the International Youth Foundation for nine years. She participated in the preparations for the Charter on the African Child. Currently, she serves on the Nike Foundation Advisory Board. She has also served on a number of Boards and as an Advisor for children and youth. Dr. Mbikusita-Lewanika serves as Chairperson of YAPYA; Zambia Youth Investment Fund. Dean of the Zambian Diplomatic Corps (the most senior Zambian Ambassador) July 2009 -.

The following Awards and citations were given:
2010         1. March – Beyond the Boundaries Award from IECAAC (The Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches) for continued effort to seek innovative approaches to address complex problems

2010         2. March – Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of dedication and unwavering commitment to helping limit the suffering of children and families around the world – especially in Zambia – who are impacted by HIV and for support and outstanding contributions to the Children’s AIDS Fund.

The other awards are:
2010         February - Appointed Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa.

2010         February – Certificate of Appreciation – Howard University African Business Club

2009         October – Eugene J. Keogh Award
For Distinguished Public Service, New York University.
2009         July – Dean of the Zambian Diplomatic Corps
2009         May - Motherhood Recognition – Gospel Drum Studio and I Go Ministries – Honoring Mothers of Excellence

2009         May - Greater Mount NEBO Women’s Ministries Recognition

2009         April - Nike Foundation Hero You have improved Girls’ Lives Today, Ending Poverty Tomorrow

2009         April - African Woman of the Decade – Howard University and Women Ambassador’s Foundation

2009         Honorary Doctor of Laws for Leadership as a Champion for peace and women’s and children’s rights by the California Polytechnic State University

2008         World Aids Day Hope Global Award by World Vision- International Trust December 2010

2007         Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award of New York University’s Steinhardt School
2007         Honorary Doctorate - Honorary Doctor of Divinity by Latin University of Theology, California in recognition of her ministry and service to the poor and marginalized and for the Spiritual Development of all people

2006         Ambassador of the Year Award, Howard University and the Women Ambassadors Foundation, Washington DC, USA.

2006         Athena International Award
For leadership and improving the lives of others

2005         Induction into the Orange Coast College Alumni Hall of Fame

Other Awards are:

1994         The African Womanhood Award for promoting African Women and being a mentor and role model

1990         The UNICEF Award for Distinguished Service for the Children of the World

At the end of my tenure as Ambassador to the United States, the awards and citations listed below were given to me:

2010         March – Citation given by the State of Oklahoma

2010         March - Certificate from the County of Los Angeles in recognition of dedicated service to Zambia and to the Zambian-American community in Southern California

2010         March – Certificate of Special Recognition in appreciation for contributions to the Los Angeles-Lusaka Sister City Committee from Member of Congress, Maxine Waters, 35th District, California

2010         March – Certificate of Recognition from California Legislature Assembly Constituents of the 48th Assembly District for tireless efforts to promote peace and to provide insightful leadership at home and internationally

2010         March – Certificate of Recognition – State of California Senate for the great humanitarian efforts and unwavering commitment as the Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to the United States of America.

2010         March - Award of Excellence from the African American Unity Caucus Women’s Committee (AAUC) in recognition of outstanding leadership and exemplary dedication and true friendship

2010         March – Award in Special Recognition of contributions to Los Angeles-Lusaka Sister City Committee and international peace and world harmony

2010         March – Certificate of Appreciation from NAACP San Bernardino Chapter - for Commitment to the Citizens of San Bernardino, California.

Dr. Mbikusita-Lewanika holds a Ph.D. in Early Childhood and Primary Education from New York University. She has a passion for positive Child and Youth Development. She is a mother of two grown daughters, a grandmother to five boys and a granddaughter. She has widely travelled and connects with people easily.

###