Ambassador Jorge Heine Retires From Pardee After Six Years of Service
On April 28, 2025, Pardee held a retirement reception for Ambassador Jorge Heine commemorating his six years of academic service at Pardee as a research professor and interim director of the Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future.
Before joining the school in 2019, Heine had forged an illustrious career in international relations, diplomacy, and politics. He served as Chile’s Ambassador to China, India, and South Africa and was a former cabinet minister in the Chilean government.
In the realm of academia, the ambassador made important contributions as a teacher and research fellow at distinguished educational and international institutions including Anthony’s College, Oxford; University of Paris; University of Constance; UN Economic Commission for Latin America; and Woodrow Wilson Center. He has authored 17 books and more than 100 articles and book chapters, and has also been an active contributor to renowned news publications including the New York Times and Washington Post.
A tribute from the Dean
The event kickstarted with Dean Scott Taylor’s stirring address who characterized Heine as “the Pardee School in one person,” alluding to the ambassador’s versatile career as a lawyer, an international relations scholar, and a diplomat.
“Jorge was one of the first people I met during my interview in 2022,” recalled Dean Taylor. “I was handed a brown bag and put in the Riverside room to sit and ponder my own career… Jorge asked if he could join me for lunch, and brought his own bag and sat down, and we had a stimulating conversation about the issues of the world South and about Pardee. I will always remember and cherish that opportunity as the first real extension of friendship at the Pardee School.”
“He’s been a valuable member of the Pardee School community, who we will sorely miss for his leadership, grace and ebullient presence. He’s brought in globally renowned speakers, maintained the center’s role as an incubator of future ideas, and has both stewarded and reinvigorated a cherished institute that was indeed a cornerstone of President Pardee’s vision for the Pardee School.” — Dean Scott Taylor
Ambassador’s Heine retirement lecture on active non-alignment
Ambassador Heine took the stage reflecting on his “gypsy-like existence” in the last 53 years, revealing that he has never spent more than six consecutive years in one place. With students, colleagues, and staff in the crowd, he described his time at Pardee as “very special.”
Heine’s retirement lecture emphasized his influential concept of “active non-alignment,” which has been featured as a cover story in The Economist and described as “Latin America’s most important foreign policy development since COVID” by foreign affairs. His recent book, Latin American Foreign Policies in the New World Order explores this discourse in the context of growing U.S.-China tensions and Latin American crisis.
Inspired by the Non-Aligned Movement, Heine’s active non-alignment was conceptualized as a framework for countries navigating the intense competition between the U.S. and China. Since its inception, it has gained significant attraction in Latin America and the Global South. Several countries including Colombia and South Africa have officially adopted it as a part of their foreign policy, empowering diplomats with vocabulary to tackle complex political negotiations.
In his lecture, Prof. Heine explained how active non-alignment allows countries to realistically evaluate competing offers from both powers. He also provided real-world examples of active non-alignment implementation during various instances when the U.S. and China were vying for control in key foreign ventures including Chancay Port’s bid in Peru, railway projects in South Africa, Vietnam’s defense agreements, and Kenya’s investments.
Praise from students and colleagues
Kevin Clenard, a former student and research fellow praised Prof. Heine’s teaching methods and mentorship, commenting on the profound impact of his scholarship and network.
“With no slides, Ambassador captivated the room every day with only his voice.” — Kevin Clenard
Joseph Harris, Workshop Director for Global Health Politics expressed his appreciation toward the ambassador for bringing in high profile speakers to the school as well as for his kind and open-minded demeanor. Harris noted that Heine could “fit in and get along absolutely anywhere.”
Heine’s work in the international relations sphere is imbued with meaningful action that has helped developing economies battle modern-day diplomacy challenges. In the classroom, his lessons and mentorship have inspired students to think differently, critically, and empathetically about international issues, shaping global leaders of tomorrow. As Ambassador Heine embarks on a new adventure, he leaves an indelible legacy for Pardee students, faculty, and staff – one that will be remembered time and again as an exemplar of dedication and excellence.
To learn more about Ambassador Heine’s work and achievements, visit his faculty profile.