CAF promotes a book to honor Enrique V. Iglesias

Enrique Garcia, Executive President of CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, presented the book America Latina en una era de Globalizacion; Ensayos en honor de Enrique V. Iglesias (Latin America in an era of  globalization; Essays in honor of Enrique V. Iglesias) in Casa de America in Madrid. It is a collection of articles about the Latin American region, written by prestigious authors in the world of politics, academia, and multilateral institutions with whom Enrique V. Iglesias has worked throughout his professional career. 

During the presentation, Garcia highlighted that "this publication is a well-deserved tribute to a Latin American citizen who has placed his life and ideas at the service of Latin America. The contributions to development and his legacy are an example for Latin Americans from yesterday, today, and tomorrow, who maintain a profound conviction regarding the construction of democratic and equitable societies, the need for greater regional integration, and an intelligent international insertion". 

Garcia stated the contributions made by Enrique V. Iglesias to the development and construction of democratic societies in the region, in addition to highlighting his ability to reconcile interests and solve conflicts.  "It is a great honor for me, as President of CAF, to have contributed to the publication of this book, which brings together the Latin American currents of thought during these years, and the relationship existing with Spain", underlined Garcia, who defined Enrique V. Iglesias as a determining figure for the changes experienced in the Latin American region in past years. 

Among the virtues mentioned by CAF's President regarding Enrique V. Iglesias, "intellectual solidity, creative economist, ingenious, great negotiator and mediator in the international scenario" stand out. 

Ideas and practice 

Enrique V. Iglesias, on his part, recognized the support provided by Enrique Garcia and CAF to his proposals to promote development in Latin America, and expressed his gratitude to the President of the Latin American Development Bank for his continued friendship and solidarity.  

In the chapter regarding acknowledgements, Iglesias highlighted the work of the editors of the book, Robert Devlin, Oscar A. Echevarria and Jose Luis Machinea, and the deference of the personalities who agreed to state their opinions about an important period of Latin American history, "a group of generous friends who have worked for a beautiful publication". 

"Ideas and practices have defined my life in each challenge that I have faced in every institution I have worked for", explained an analytical Iglesias, who expressed, with emotions,  that he "had ideas to change reality, a possible dream that needs to be flexible in order to achieve what you want, without arrogance, and without leaving behind the commitments to social aspects and ethics". 

During his welcoming speech, Tomas Poveda, General Director of Casa de America, highlighted the personalities who wrote the book in honor of Enrique Iglesias, and stated the importance of globalization which has been a determining factor for the development of Latin America in the past few years. 

In the ceremony, Oscar A. Echevarria participated in representation of the editors. As a co-editor, he encouraged the attending people to read the articles presented in the book. In his opinion, they will serve to continue the work of Enrique V. Iglesias in favor of Latin American development, as they have an optimistic positive view of the region and they reflect on its present and future. 

Content of the publication 

Enrique V. Iglesias is a renowned Uruguayan economist, politician, and writer. Until March, he was the Secretary General of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (Segib, for its acronym in Spanish). Previously, he was Uruguay's Foreign Relations Minister, Executive Secretary of ECLAC, and President of the Inter-American Development Bank, among other positions. 

"América Latina en una era de Globalización; Ensayos en honor de Enrique V. Iglesias" (Latin America in an era of  globalization; Essays in honor of Enrique V. Iglesias) is a CAF publication edited by Robert Devlin, Oscar A. Echevarria and Jose Luis Machinea. It includes 15 articles signed by: Jose Antonio Ocampo, Nancy Birdsall, Michel Camdessus, Enrique Garcia, Luis Alberto Moreno, Gert Rosenthal, Julio Sanguinetti, Ricardo Lagos, Guillermo Calvo, Jose Luis Machinea, Alicia Barcena and Gabriel Porcile, Roberto Devlin, Oscar E. Echevarria, Nora Lustig, Luis F. Lopez-Calva and Eduardo Ortiz-Juarez, as well as Enrique V. Iglesias. 

The texts deal with current subjects of special interest for the region: economic governance, democracy, public policies, private sector participation in the economy, monetary policy, promotion of equality, and role of development banks, among others. They all reflect on Latin America and the need to continue advancing in the coordination of a clear view regarding the desired development. 

Iglesias' influence on the development of Latin American during decades is expressed in this publication, edited by CAF, to be recognized by those who are interested in promoting a better quality of life for Latin American citizens. The purpose of the book is to stimulate reflection on the region's advances regarding the important social, economic, and political subjects, based on Iglesias' experience, knowledge, and legacy during the different stages of his life. 

After the presentation in Madrid, there will be an international tour to continue disseminating the reasoned optimism, thus contributing with Iglesias' work for the development of the region through the dissemination of his message. Shortly, an English version will be edited.