Ignacio Walker Prieto (born 7 January 1956) is a Chilean lawyer, politician, and, author who was Foreign Minister of Chile (2004–2006).

Academic, Legal, and Political History

Upon Walker's graduation from the University of Chile in 1978, he joined Vicaría de la Solidaridad as an attorney-at-law. At Vicaría de la Solidaridad, Walker defended people against human rights violations committed by the regime of General Augusto Pinochet. Walker was Deputy in the Chilean Parliament (1994–2002), President of the Chilean Christian Democratic Party (2010-2015), Chilean Senator (2010-2018), and Foreign Minister (2004-2006) for the Republic of Chile. In 1982, he earned a PhD in political science from Princeton University. Between 2007 and 2008, he was a visiting professor and researcher at Princeton University. In 2018, Walker became the Kellogg Institute’s Hewlett Fellow for Public Policy at the University of Notre Dame. On September 27, 2018, Walker participated as a panel member on the Kellogg Institute's Inter-American dialogue commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Chilean plebiscite (political referendum) of October 5, 1988, which opened the way to a return to democracy in Chile after the Pinochet regime. The historic panel included key leaders from both sides of the political aisle who recalled and reflected upon the "NO" campaign which led to Chile's limitation and rejection of Pinochet as President followed by the country's transition to democracy. Along with Walker, members of the historic panel included Andrés Allamand - Senator of Chile, Eugenio Tiron - Executive President of Tironi Associates, Rev. Timothy R. Scully - Professor of Political Science and Hacket Family Director of the Institute for Educational Initiatives, and J. Samuel Valenzuela - Professor of Sociology, University of Notre Dame.

Family History

Walker is a grandchild of , his great-grandfather is . He has eight siblings, including politicians Patricio Walker and

Matías Walker Matías Vicente Walker Prieto (born 19 July 1973) is a Chilean politician who currently serves as a member of the Senate of Chile. Similarly, he served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile The Chamber of Deputies ( es, Cámara d ...

. On March 22, 1980, he married the singer Cecilia Echenique. The couple have three children: Elisa (lawyer), Ignacio (filmmaker) and Benjamin (musician).

Publications

*2020 -- ''Cristianos sin Cristiandad: (reflexiones de un legislador católico)'' *2018 -- ''La Nueva Mayoría. Reflexiones sobre una derrota'' *2018 -- ''Democracia Cristiana que queremos: El chile que soñamos'' *2016 -- ''Democracy in Latin America: Between Hope and Despair'' (Kellogg Institute Series on Democracy and Development) *2009 -- ''La Democracia En América Latina'' *2006 -- ''Chile and Latin America in a Globalized World'' *1990 -- ''Socialismo Y Democracia: Chile Y Europa En Perspectiva Comparada'' *1986 -- ''Democracia En Chile; Doce Conferencias'' (with José A. Vieragallo, et al.)

Awards

*2005 -- Grand Cross of the Order of the Infante Dom Henrique -- Prince Henry the Navigator (November 22, 2005) *2004 -- Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru (December 10, 2004)

References

1956 births Living people University of Chile alumni Princeton University alumni Christian Democratic Party (Chile) politicians Foreign ministers of Chile Members of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile Members of the Senate of Chile Politicians from Santiago Chilean people of English descent 20th-century Chilean lawyers Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso faculty {{Chile-politician-stub