Graduate Institute awards Nobel Prize Laureate Amartya Sen

Picture source: The Graduate Institute

The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, a leading academic institution in the study of international affairs, has awarded Amartya Sen, Nobel Memorial Prize Laureate and Professor of Economics and Philosophy at Harvard University with the Edgar de Picciotto International Prize. At a well-organized public lecture to mark the opening of the academic year of Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies at the Council Room of the World Trade Organization in Geneva October 3, 2012, Mr. Edgar de Picciotto presented the award to Professor Sen for his immense contribution in welfare and development economics and for the fight against poverty, inequality and famine. The theme for the public lecture was “What is the use of economics?”

In his introductory speech, Director General of the World Trade Organization, Pascal Lamy praised the contribution of Amartya Sen in economics that has benefitted trade. “Most of his work has been of benefit to the house of trade”, Lamy said. He again stressed the significance of international trade to the promotion of economic growth and prosperity in countries. “Trade has been the vehicle of prosperity in many countries”, Lamy said adding that trade offers new and diverse opportunities for growth in health, education, and access to credit.

The Edgar de Picciotto International Prize created by the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies shows gratitude and pays homage to Mr. de Picciotto and his family for their exceptionally generous support to major infrastructure development at the Institute especially with the financing of the Student House. The prize awards internationally renowned academics, who through their research have contributed to the better understanding of global challenges, and whose work has influenced policy-makers. The prize is awarded every two years.

Professor Amartya Sen in his appreciation for the award thanked the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies for the recognition. “It is an honour to receive this prize”, he said adding that I am not worthy of the award since people had contributed to my knowledge. He expressed his excitement for having to begin the academic year as a speaker for the occasion.

Professor Amartya Sen is one of the world’s most renowned and respected economists. Professor Sen is the author of numerous books which have been translated to more than 30 languages. His work has focused most notably on the causes of famine, inequality and poverty. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) human development index was developed in part based on his research. He has also received a Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences 1998; the “Bharat Ratna” (the highest honour awarded by the President of India); the Edinburgh Medal; the Brazilian Ordem do Merito Cientifico; the Eisenhower Medal; Honorary Companion of Honour (UK); and the George C. Marshall Award (US).

Story by: Stephen Yeboah, in Geneva, Switzerland (profstephenyeboah@gmail.com)