{{Short description|British Paris-based journalist and presenter}}
'''Georja Calvin-Smith''' (often misspelled '''Georgia Calvin-Smith''') is a British Paris-based international television news presenter, producer, writer, and journalist who hosts and moderates various forums globally.<ref name="presenter_france24_com">[https://www.france24.com/en/georja-calvin-smith "Georja Calvin-Smith - Presenter,"] France 24, retrieved 4 June 2023</ref><ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org">[https://live.worldbank.org/experts/georja-calvin-smith "Featured Speaker: Georja Calvin-Smith, journalist, France 24,"] 13 April 2021, The World Bank, retrieved June 4, 2023</ref><ref name="cop21_2015_12_05_gouv_fr">[https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/action-day_programme_fr_3_.pdf "Session 2: Engager: Habiter le territoire de demai,"] 5 December 2015, ''Journée de l’Action: COP21'' (the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference), ''Lima-Paris Action Agenda,'' Ecology Ministry, Government of France, retrieved 5 June 2023</ref><ref name="press_freedom_2017_unesco_org">[https://en.unesco.org/world-press-freedom-day-2017/georja-calvin-smith "Georja Calvin-Smith,"] World Press Freedom Day 2017, UNESCO, retrieved 9 June 2023</ref><ref name="georja_2021_08_26_theafricaceoforum_com">[https://www.theafricaceoforum.com/acf-digital/intervenant/georja-calvin-smith/ "Speakers,"]{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }} ''A New World Coming,'' 'Digital Edition 28, 30 September 2021, Africa CEO Forum, retrieved 4 June 2023</ref> Calvin-Smith is best known for her role at France 24 as a news anchor and presenter of the daily series ''Eye on Africa'' and the weekly television news magazine ''Across Africa.''<ref name="presenter_france24_com" /><ref name="france24_tv_guide">[https://www.france24.com/en/tv-guide "TV Guide"], France 24, retrieved June 6, 2023</ref><ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" /><ref name="georja_2021_08_26_theafricaceoforum_com" />
==Early life and education==
Calvin-Smith was born in Trinidad and emigrated to England when she was seven years old.<ref name="surprised_2010_04_19_manchestereveningnews_co_uk">[https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/i-was-surprised-how-much-i-cared-908766 "'I was surprised how much I cared' ...granted full British citizenship...,"] 19 April 2010, updated January 12, 2013, ''Manchester Evening News,'' retrieved 4 June 2023</ref> Calvin-Smith studied law in the United Kingdom,<ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" /><ref name="partnerships_2017_adfb_org">[https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/AM/2017AM/AM2017_biography.pdf "Let’s Talk Africa-Asia Partnerships,"] 2017, ''President Special Panel on "Accelerating Implementation of the Bank’s Ten-Years Strategy with the High 5s Agenda,"'' African Development Bank Group (AfDB Group), retrieved 4 June 2023</ref> and was subsequently invited to join the diplomatic service of Trinidad and Tobago but turned to journalism instead.<ref name="partnerships_2017_adfb_org" /> She became a naturalised British citizen in 2010.<ref name="surprised_2010_04_19_manchestereveningnews_co_uk" />
==Career==
===Media career===
Since 2007, Calvin-Smith<ref name="samba_2007_05_31_bbc_co_uk">Calvin-Smith, Georja: [https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/05/2007_22_thu.shtml "Samba,"] May 31, 2007, ''Woman's Hour,'' BBC, retrieved 4 June 2023</ref> has worked as a journalist in the United States, Britain and France, on news, current affairs, and international documentaries.<ref name="presenter_france24_com" /><ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" /><ref name="partnerships_2017_adfb_org" /> Early in her career, she worked as a news reporter and presenter in Manchester, England<ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" /><ref name="surprised_2010_04_19_manchestereveningnews_co_uk" /> on TV station Channel M (circa 2010),<ref name="surprised_2010_04_19_manchestereveningnews_co_uk" /><ref name="boot_camp_2010_04_19_manchestereveningnews_co_uk">[https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/fashion-news/my-bootcamp-hell-916467 "My bootcamp hell,"] 19 April 2010, updated 12 January 2013, ''Manchester Evening News,'' retrieved 4 June 2023</ref> and produced stories, features and documentaries for the BBC,<ref name="samba_2007_05_31_bbc_co_uk" /><ref name="minuto_2012_03_12_bbc_com">[https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2012/03/120321_livetext_vivo_francia "Minuto a minuto: sitio al sospechoso de la matanza..."] (translated, Spanish to English: [https://www-bbc-com.translate.goog/mundo/noticias/2012/03/120321_livetext_vivo_francia?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc "Minute by minute: siege of the suspect in the Toulouse massacre"]), 21 March 2012, BBC News ''Mundo,'' retrieved 4 June 2023</ref> ITV Network, and HBO in New York City.<ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" />
In recent years{{which|date=May 2026}}, Calvin-Smith has worked in various reporting, producing and presenter roles for France 24. After years of presenting news bulletins, she became the presenter for ''The Week in the Maghreb,'' which covered developments in north-central and northwest Africa. Eventually moving to cover the entire continent, she currently produces and presents the network's daily ''Eye on Africa'' bulletin, and anchors its weekly ''Across Africa'' TV-magazine show.<ref name="presenter_france24_com" /><ref name="france24_tv_guide"/><ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" /><ref name="georja_2021_08_26_theafricaceoforum_com" /><ref name="host_2023_05_29_energychamber_org">[https://energychamber.org/france-24-georja-calvin-smith-to-host-the-invest-in-african-energy-forum-paris/ "France 24 Georja Calvin-Smith to Host the Invest in African Energy Forum Paris,"] May 29, 2023, African Energy Chamber (AEC), retrieved June 4, 2023</ref>
Calvin-Smith has reported from around the world, and interviewed many heads of state including the presidents of Nigeria, Mali, Ivory Coast, Namibia, Angola,<ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" /><ref name="interview_2016_01_29_venturesafrica_com">[https://venturesafrica.com/story/jonathan-says-pdp-will-bounce-back/ "Jonathan says PDP will bounce back,"] 29 January 2016, ''DailyTrust'' at Ventures Africa, retrieved 5 June 2023</ref> Ghana<ref name="mytodaynews_youtube">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW1PhM6pEBs "Mahama speaks with Georja CALVIN SMITH on France 24,"] October 6, 2015''MyTodayNews'' YouTube channel of ''Today'' newspaper (Ghana), retrieved December 6, 2025</ref> and Zambia.<ref name="confident_2016_02_11_lusakavoice_com">[https://www.lusakavoice.com/2016/02/11/president-lungu-confident-of-being-re-elected/ "President Lungu confident of being re-elected,"] (summary, in English, of interviews by France 24 and Radio France International), 11 February 2016, ''Zambia Daily Mail'' on Lusaka Voice, retrieved 4 June 2023</ref><ref name="interview_2016_02_12_lusakatimes_com">[https://www.lusakatimes.com/2016/02/12/president-edgar-lungus-interview-with-france-24s-georja-calvin-smith/ "President Edgar Lungu’s Interview with France 24’s Georja Calvin-Smith,"] (video), 12 February 2016, ''Lusaka Times,'' retrieved 5 June 2023</ref>
===Event leadership===
Calvin-Smith has hosted numerous high-level debates and dialogues at international summits, organisation forums, and corporate events, particularly throughout Africa,<ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" /> including events of the United Nations,<ref name="cop21_2015_12_05_gouv_fr" /><ref name="press_freedom_2017_unesco_org" /><ref name="biennale_of_luanda_2019_unesco">[https://en.unesco.org/biennaleluanda2019/ideas "Ideas,"] 2019, ''Biennale of Luanda, Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace,'' UNESCO, retrieved June 4, 2023; similar references at [https://en.unesco.org/creativity/sites/creativity/files/biennale_of_luanda_programme__1.pdf] and [https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/biennale_of_luanda_preliminary_report_final_17122019.pdf]</ref> the OECD,<ref name="africa_forum_2019_oecd_org">[https://search.oecd.org/development/africa-forum/ "Acknowledgments,"] ''Outcome document,'' High Level Dialogue with Africa: Road to TICAD7 in Yokohama and Africa’s Development Dynamics 2019 (May 21, 2019), October 1st, 2019, OECD, Paris, retrieved June 4, 2023; also cited in post-action [https://www.oecd.org/dev/Proceedings_High-Level-Dialogue-with-Africa_21_May_2019.pdf "Acknowledgements"]</ref><ref name="oecd_21st_intl_econ_forum_on_africa">[https://www.oecd.org/development/africa-forum/agenda/ "Agenda,"] June 10, 2022, "21st International Economic Forum on Africa: Africa in the emerging global economic order," OECD, Paris, retrieved June 4, 2023</ref><ref name="african_diaspora_2023_oecd">[https://www.oecd.org/development/africa/african-diaspora-trade-investment-symposium.htm "Agenda,"] May 23, 2023, "Symposium: African Diaspora, Trade and Investment: What Economic and Social Impacts?," OECD, Paris, retrieved June 9, 2023</ref> the World Bank,<ref name="covid19_2021_04_worldbank org">[https://live.worldbank.org/state-africa-region-covid-19-and-future-work-africa "Moderator: Georja Calvin-Smith,"] April 13, 2021, ''The State of the Africa Region: COVID-19 and the Future of Work in Africa,'' (virtual conference), World Bank, retrieved June 5, 2023</ref> and several African-based international organisations.<ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" /><ref name="georja_2021_08_26_theafricaceoforum_com" /><ref name="host_2023_05_29_energychamber_org" />
As chair of the OECD's Africa Forum in Paris, Calvin-Smith oversaw a panel of ministers and presidents discussing Africa's economic challenges.<ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" /> She has also moderated other OECD panels.<ref name="africa_forum_2019_oecd_org" /><ref name="oecd_21st_intl_econ_forum_on_africa" /><ref name="african_diaspora_2023_oecd" /> In 2018, she conducted conversations with policy makers about Africa’s economy at the World Export Development Forum in Zambia.<ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" /> In 2019, at the initial Luanda Biennale and pan African Forum for the culture of Peace, she chaired a presidential panel.<ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" /><ref name="biennale_of_luanda_2019_unesco" />
Calvin-Smith routinely leads events for the African Development Bank. In the past, she has moderated televised debates for the African Development Bank in Ahmedabad, India and Busan, South Korea.<ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" /><ref name="speakers_finance_afdb_org">[https://www.afdb.org/en/events/finance-common-spring-meeting/speakers "Speakers,"] "Finance in Common" Spring Meeting, May 11, 2021, African Development Bank, retrieved June 9, 2023</ref>
Calvin-Smith served as Master of Ceremonies at the ''Invest in African Energy'' Forum in Paris for the African Energy Chamber (AEC).<ref name="host_2023_05_29_energychamber_org" /><ref name="host_2013_05_29_gulfoilandgas">[https://www.gulfoilandgas.com/webpro1/main/mainnews.asp?id=963572 "France 24 Georja Calvin-Smith to Host the Invest in African Energy Forum Paris,"] May 29, 2023, ''Gulf Oil and Gas,'' retrieved June 9, 2023</ref> and at the 2021 Global SME Finance Forum.<ref>[https://www.globalsmefinanceforum.org/2021/node/77 speakers list], Global SME Finance Forum 2021, retrieved June 9, 2023</ref> She also led a panel for the Africa CEO Forum.<ref name="georja_2021_08_26_theafricaceoforum_com" />
At the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) held in Paris, Calvin-Smith guided keynote sessions with California governor Jerry Brown, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and other leaders.<ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" /><ref name="cop21_2015_12_05_gouv_fr" /> She led discussions at the UN’s World Press Freedom Day event in Jakarta, Indonesia.<ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" /><ref name="press_freedom_2017_unesco_org" />
May 20, 2025, Calvin-Smith was master of ceremonies at the 150th Anniversary World Metrology Day commemoration, sponsored by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), at UNESCO World Headquarters in Paris.<ref name="WMD150_BIPM">[https://thebipm150.org/20-may-new/?wppb_referer_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthebipm150.org%2Fagenda%2F "20 May 2025 Programme: UNESCO Headquarters, Paris,"] International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), retrieved December 6, 2025</ref><ref name="WMD150_SMIIC">[https://smiic.org/mysql/upload/files/202505/6821bdfedfea6-1747041790.pdf "WORLD METROLOGY DAY SYMPOSIUM 202,"] International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), retrieved December 6, 2025</ref>\
The following June, at the 2025 Ibrahim Governance Weekend in Morocco, she was moderator of the MIF Leadership Ceremony with Morocco's president and current or former leaders, or key dignitaries, of the United Nations, European Union, Germany, and the World Health Organization.<ref name="ibrahim_2025">[https://cdn.mediavalet.com/eunl/dam/E-0NoR2CQ0uVLFhGW_-A2Q/NgFQKgI9jkyTHEpPdx222w/Original/2025-IGW-programme.pdf?devmode=true "2025 Ibrahim Governance Weekend,"] June 2025, Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Morocco, retrieved December 6, 2025</ref>
==Recognition==
Calvin-Smith has been featured in ''Le Monde's'' "Women in Africa" conference, along with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee and the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda.<ref name="georja_2021_04_13_worldbank_org" />
In 2020, Calvin-Smith was a judge for the annual Rory Peck Awards which recognize "the most outstanding work of freelance journalists and filmmakers" in international media.<ref name="judges_rorypecktrust_org">[https://rorypecktrust.org/awards-2020/ "Judges"], 2020, Rory Peck Awards, retrieved June 5, 2023</ref>
In 2025. in London, at the G-SEL Conference 2025, of the Global Sustainable Education & Leadership (G-SEL) Network (where she headed many events<ref name="gsel_2025_agenda">[https://gselnetwork.org/agenda/ Agenda], G-SEL Convention 2025, (also at [https://gselnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/FINALL-GSEL_CONFERENCE_2025_AGENDA1.pdf]), retrieved December 6, 2025</ref>), in a ceremony in the House of Lords, Calvin-Smith was awarded their 2025 Voice for Equity Award.<ref name="smith_award_linkedin">[https://www.linkedin.com/posts/georja-calvin-smith-22817a9_globalsouth-development-awards-activity-7396942463267098624-7la8 "Georja Calvin-Smith’s Post"] (with photo of award), November 2025, LinkedIn.com, retrieved December 6, 2025</ref>
Calvin-Smith is recognized as an Honorary Patron of the Heritage and Cultural Society of America (HACSA)<ref name="hacsa_board">[https://www.thehacsa.org/board-of-trustees/ "Board of Trustees - Ghana,"] Heritage and Cultural Society of America (HACSA), retrieved December 6, 2025</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{official website|http://www.georjacalvinsmith.com/}} * [https://www.france24.com/en/georja-calvin-smith/ "Georja Calvin-Smith"], official France24 site, with videos and summary transcripts of her broadcasts. * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxJw2HLmT6Q ''Eye On Africa'' YouTube channel] (videos of Smith's France24 broadcasts) * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0rDW95dJCo "Georja Calvin-Smith, Presenter,"] (sample video clips, showing her coverage of a wide variety of topics, people and places), May 24, 2013, France 24 on YouTube.
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Calvin-Smith, Georja}} Category:British television journalists Category:French journalists Category:21st-century British women journalists Category:British women television presenters Category:BBC television presenters Category:French television presenters Category:Trinidad and Tobago mass media people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:Trinidad and Tobago emigrants to the United Kingdom Category:21st-century British journalists Category:British television presenters