I have the privilege to study at one of France’s most esteemed academic establishments and am acutely aware of why this is possible. In large part, it is thanks to the leadership of Richard Descoings, who, over the past 16 years has fought to make Sciences Po an inclusive, internationalised place of learning, a rich trove of ideas and progressive thought. Interestingly, some people affectionately referred to him as ‘Ritchie D’ which in French sounds very similar to the phrase for very rich, textured ideas – ‘riches idees’. He was found dead in New York yesterday. It is an immense loss. He was a mover and shaker in every sense of the word. And, for those of us who have benefitted from the open space that he created for international students to participate in the life of Sciences Po, gratitude for his well spent life is the least that we can express. May his soul rest in peace.
Below is a silent video tribute to Descoings posted on Vimeo by Sciences Po earlier today:
Merci Richard Descoings from Sciences Po on Vimeo.
Anon's Paris 