Janine di Giovanni

Janine di Giovanni

Keynote Speaker: Award-Winning Foreign & War Correspondent; Human Rights Advocate; Executive Director of The Reckoning Project; Senior Fellow at Yale University's Jackson School of Global Affairs

Janine di Giovanni Biography

Janine di Giovanni is a globally recognized civil-society leader, geopolitical analyst, and one of the world’s foremost authorities on war crimes, mass atrocities, and accountability. An award-winning war correspondent with more than 35 years of frontline experience, she has reported from 18 conflict zones and three genocides, bearing witness at the sharp edge of history. Her work sits at the intersection of journalism, international law, and human rights enforcement, with deep expertise spanning the Middle East, the Balkans, Ukraine/Russia, and Africa.

She is the Founder and CEO of The Reckoning Project, an EU-funded war-crimes documentation unit that works directly with prosecutors to build cases against perpetrators of international crimes. Her organization’s investigations have contributed to active accountability efforts at the national and international level. Di Giovanni is also a Senior Fellow at Yale University’s Jackson School of Global Affairs, where she teaches Human Rights and regularly convenes leading policymakers, jurists, and practitioners shaping the future of justice in conflict.

A former Guggenheim Fellow, di Giovanni is the recipient of the American Academy of Arts and Letters’ highest prize for nonfiction, as well as more than a dozen major international awards for journalism and human rights reporting. She has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world working to reduce armed violence, and is a recipient of the International Women’s Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Award and two Amnesty International Media Awards.

She has held senior fellowships at the Council on Foreign Relations (Edward R. Murrow Fellow), Yale Law School’s Schell Center for International Human Rights, Johns Hopkins’ Agora Institute, and Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and currently serves as a non-resident International Security Fellow at New America and the Geneva Centre for Policy Studies.

Di Giovanni is the author of nine books, including "The Vanishing" and "The Morning They Came for Us: Dispatches from Syria," translated into 28 languages and praised by The New York Times as “necessary and devastating.” A longtime contributor to Vanity Fair, Foreign Affairs, Harper’s, and The New York Times, she is also a Global Affairs columnist for The National, where her work reaches senior political and business leaders across the Middle East and Europe.

A sought-after global speaker, she has taught at Yale, Columbia SIPA, and Sciences Po, and regularly moderates and speaks at the World Economic Forum, Munich Security Conference, United Nations, World Bank, and other high-level international forums. Her TED Talk, "What I Saw in the War," has been viewed over one million times.

Beyond journalism and academia, di Giovanni has advised UNHCR, the European Union, NATO, and senior government officials on Syria, accountability, and conflict-related human rights, bringing rare credibility from both the field and the policy arena. She is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the advisory board of the Atlas of Impunity.

She holds an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, an MA from The Fletcher School, and an MA from the University of London. Her debut novel, "Evidence," will be published in 2027.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Janine di Giovanni and other top speakers and celebrities.

Janine di Giovanni Speaking Topics

Behind the Headlines: What War Taught Me About the Middle East—and What the World Gets Wrong

As someone who has reported from the frontlines of every major conflict in the region, Janine di Giovanni offers a firsthand narrative that challenges Western assumptions about the Middle East. This talk explores how the lived realities of war—among civilians, fighters, and policymakers—reveal a far more nuanced and human region than the one seen in the news cycle. It’s a journey through memory, myth, and media, aimed at reframing how we think about power, people, and peace.

Audience Appeal: Global affairs audiences, diplomats, journalists, policymakers, businessmen

Tone: Honest, powerful, perspective-shifting

The Middle East Beyond the Battlefield: Conflict, Complexity, and the Next Chapter

Having covered the region’s wars for years, Janine di Giovanni now asks: what comes next? This talk bridges frontline experience with regional trends—political reform, generational change, and post- war rebuilding—to paint a forward-looking picture. Listeners will gain an insider’s take on how power dynamics are shifting from militias to ministries, from oil to AI, and from trauma to transition.

Audience Appeal: Business leaders, investors, think tanks, development agencies

Tone: Strategic, analytical, cautiously optimistic

Witness to the Fire: Voices of War, Resilience, and Dignity in the Middle East

This is not a talk about geopolitics—it’s about people. Through a series of compelling vignettes from Iraq, Syria, Gaza, Yemen, and beyond, Janine di Giovanni share the stories of those who lived through war with courage, defiance, and dignity. It’s a raw, emotional, and ultimately hopeful account that reminds us why the Middle East matters—not as a problem to solve, but as a region full of humanity, history, and future potential.

Audience Appeal: Cultural festivals, public forums, storytelling events, academic institutions

Tone: Emotional, inspiring, deeply human

  • What Next for the Middle East? Syria after Assad

  • Gaza/Palestine - The Forever War?

  • How to Catch a War Criminal - international justice at work in Ukraine, Syria and beyond

  • Europe on the Edge- the rise of authoritarian regimes and how to bolster democracy

  • The Reckoning Project: how can journalists and lawyers work together to fight against impunity?

Additional Keynote Topics

The Middle East in 2040: Youth, Innovation, and the Race for Relevance

Why it works: Focuses on the region’s demographic youth bulge, innovation hubs like Dubai and Riyadh, and the opportunity to shift global narratives beyond conflict.

Hook: What happens when the world’s youngest region becomes its most inventive?

Bridging Worlds: How Middle Eastern Cultural Diplomacy is Redefining Global Soft Power

Why it works: Showcases art, cinema, sports (like Qatar’s World Cup), and heritage restoration efforts as tools of influence. Hook: Soft power isn't just for the West—here’s how the Middle East is rewriting the rules.

From Oil to AI: The Economic Future of the Middle East in a Post-Hydrocarbon World

Why it works: Tackles the ambitious economic diversification underway, from NEOM to UAE's AI investments.

Hook: The next frontier for artificial intelligence isn’t Silicon Valley—it’s the desert.

Conflict, Resilience, and Renaissance: Stories of Reinvention from the Middle East

Why it works: Balances hard issues (Syria, Iraq, Yemen) with human resilience and reconstruction—ideal for emotional engagement. Hook:In the rubble of conflict, new narratives are rising—stories of hope, healing, and human potential.

Women of the Middle East: Leading the Region’s Quiet Revolution&

Why it works: Focuses on gender, leadership, and social reform, especially in Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Palestine.

Hook: They’re not waiting for change—they’re leading it. Meet the women transforming the Middle East.

Janine di Giovanni Videos

Seriously Entertaining: Janine di Giovanni on "All That Glitters"
Seeking Justice: Rebuilding Hope after the War Janine di Giovanni
Global Women's Summit: Bearing Witness: Ukraine

How do I book Janine di Giovanni to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Janine di Giovanni for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Janine di Giovanni, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Janine di Giovanni or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Janine di Giovanni for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Janine di Giovanni, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Janine di Giovanni are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $30,000 - $50,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Janine di Giovanni, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Janine di Giovanni speak about?

Janine di Giovanni is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Author, Business Authors, Bestselling Authors, World Affairs, Journalist, Professors, Political, Non-Profit, TED, Inspirational, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Women in Business, Female Leadership, Women's Health, Women's Rights, Influential Women, Technology, Geopolitics, Government, Strategic Leadership, Corporate Strategy, Sustainability, ESG, News & Media and Social Activism.

Where does Janine di Giovanni travel from?

Janine di Giovanni generally travels from Paris, France and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Janine di Giovanni?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Janine di Giovanni for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Janine di Giovanni for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Janine di Giovanni or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Janine di Giovanni is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Author, Business Authors and Bestselling Authors. The estimated speaking fee range to book Janine di Giovanni for live events is $30,000 - $50,000, and for virtual events $30,000 - $50,000. Janine di Giovanni generally travels from Paris, France and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Dambisa Moyo, Laura Ling and Amy Goodman. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Janine di Giovanni for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 26/01/2026.

Janine di Giovanni Speaking Topics

  • Behind the Headlines: What War Taught Me About the Middle East—and What the World Gets Wrong

    As someone who has reported from the frontlines of every major conflict in the region, Janine di Giovanni offers a firsthand narrative that challenges Western assumptions about the Middle East. This talk explores how the lived realities of war—among civilians, fighters, and policymakers—reveal a far more nuanced and human region than the one seen in the news cycle. It’s a journey through memory, myth, and media, aimed at reframing how we think about power, people, and peace.

    Audience Appeal: Global affairs audiences, diplomats, journalists, policymakers, businessmen

    Tone: Honest, powerful, perspective-shifting

  • The Middle East Beyond the Battlefield: Conflict, Complexity, and the Next Chapter

    Having covered the region’s wars for years, Janine di Giovanni now asks: what comes next? This talk bridges frontline experience with regional trends—political reform, generational change, and post- war rebuilding—to paint a forward-looking picture. Listeners will gain an insider’s take on how power dynamics are shifting from militias to ministries, from oil to AI, and from trauma to transition.

    Audience Appeal: Business leaders, investors, think tanks, development agencies

    Tone: Strategic, analytical, cautiously optimistic

  • Witness to the Fire: Voices of War, Resilience, and Dignity in the Middle East

    This is not a talk about geopolitics—it’s about people. Through a series of compelling vignettes from Iraq, Syria, Gaza, Yemen, and beyond, Janine di Giovanni share the stories of those who lived through war with courage, defiance, and dignity. It’s a raw, emotional, and ultimately hopeful account that reminds us why the Middle East matters—not as a problem to solve, but as a region full of humanity, history, and future potential.

    Audience Appeal: Cultural festivals, public forums, storytelling events, academic institutions

    Tone: Emotional, inspiring, deeply human

    • What Next for the Middle East? Syria after Assad

    • Gaza/Palestine - The Forever War?

    • How to Catch a War Criminal - international justice at work in Ukraine, Syria and beyond

    • Europe on the Edge- the rise of authoritarian regimes and how to bolster democracy

    • The Reckoning Project: how can journalists and lawyers work together to fight against impunity?

  • Additional Keynote Topics

    The Middle East in 2040: Youth, Innovation, and the Race for Relevance

    Why it works: Focuses on the region’s demographic youth bulge, innovation hubs like Dubai and Riyadh, and the opportunity to shift global narratives beyond conflict.

    Hook: What happens when the world’s youngest region becomes its most inventive?

    Bridging Worlds: How Middle Eastern Cultural Diplomacy is Redefining Global Soft Power

    Why it works: Showcases art, cinema, sports (like Qatar’s World Cup), and heritage restoration efforts as tools of influence. Hook: Soft power isn't just for the West—here’s how the Middle East is rewriting the rules.

    From Oil to AI: The Economic Future of the Middle East in a Post-Hydrocarbon World

    Why it works: Tackles the ambitious economic diversification underway, from NEOM to UAE's AI investments.

    Hook: The next frontier for artificial intelligence isn’t Silicon Valley—it’s the desert.

    Conflict, Resilience, and Renaissance: Stories of Reinvention from the Middle East

    Why it works: Balances hard issues (Syria, Iraq, Yemen) with human resilience and reconstruction—ideal for emotional engagement. Hook:In the rubble of conflict, new narratives are rising—stories of hope, healing, and human potential.

    Women of the Middle East: Leading the Region’s Quiet Revolution&

    Why it works: Focuses on gender, leadership, and social reform, especially in Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Palestine.

    Hook: They’re not waiting for change—they’re leading it. Meet the women transforming the Middle East.

Janine di Giovanni Videos

Seriously Entertaining: Janine di Giovanni on "All That Glitters"
Seeking Justice: Rebuilding Hope after the War Janine di Giovanni
Global Women's Summit: Bearing Witness: Ukraine
Janine di Giovanni - The Reckoning Project
  • How do I book Janine di Giovanni to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Janine di Giovanni for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Janine di Giovanni, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Janine di Giovanni or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Janine di Giovanni for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Janine di Giovanni, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Janine di Giovanni are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $30,000 - $50,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Janine di Giovanni, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Janine di Giovanni speak about?

  • Where does Janine di Giovanni travel from?

    Janine di Giovanni generally travels from Paris, France and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Janine di Giovanni?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Janine di Giovanni for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Janine di Giovanni for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Janine di Giovanni or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
BOOKING INFORMATION REQUEST
JANINE DI GIOVANNI

We are happy to assist you with your interest in booking a speaker or celebrity for your event, your organization, and the type of talent you would like to secure, and an agent will be in touch shortly.

Fill out the form below to or call us at 1-800-698-2536 if need immediate assistance.

Tell us about your event!

We respond to most inquiries within 4 hours. Under special circumstances, it may take up to 24 hours.


This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.