JUAN JOSÉ ECHAVARRÍA SOTO BIOGRAPHY

He was born in Medellin, on December 16, 1951. He’s engineer and economist. He studied Engineering at the School of Mines; In 1973, he takes one's degree in Administrative engineering, in National University of Colombia, in Medellin. In 1976, he finished his master in economics at Harvard and Boston University. Finally, in 1994, he was a doctorate in economy at University of Oxford St Antony's College, in Great Britain, with the degree: External shocks and industrialization: Colombia 1920-1950.

He was Executive Director of Fedesarrollo, The principal group of experts in Colombia, among 1998 and 2003. He served as Plenipotentiary Minister of Colombia to the Organization of the American States (OAS), during the years 1994 and 1996. Later he was counselor to the Commercial Division of the OAS, between 1997- 1998.

He has been a professor in different universities. At National University of Colombia, he was a Visiting professor of Advanced Macroeconomics and International Trade in 1989 - 1993. At Externado University of Colombia, he was Regular professor in the Department of Economy, in 1983. At University of Andes, he was Visiting Professor in the faculty of Economy, among 1977 and 2000. At University Of Oxford St Antony's College he was Class Professor between 1981 and 1982.

He has been appointed by President Pastrana to the Board of Directors of the National University of Colombia. As the Director of Economic Investigation in the National Federation of farmers of Coffee he directed the National Census of the Industry of Coffee in 1989-1992.

Juan José Echavarría has written broadly about subjects related with the industrialization process of Colombia, economic integration, macroeconomics and international trade. He taught Macroeconomics, Econometrics and International Trade at Oxford University, University of los Andes, National University of Colombia, Externado de Colombia and Javeriana University.

Finally I think that Juan José Echavarría Soto is an amazing man because he has made many studies in different universities and in different parts of the world. He has also worked in different ways: he has been a professor, he has worked in OAS, he has also worked in The National Federation of Coffee and at the moment he was named by the president Alvaro Uribe like co-director of the Bank of the Republic.

Then for all the achievements that Juan José has had, I believe that he’s an exemplary man because during their life he has made a great quantity of things and I imagined me that he has realized most of his dreams.

María Angélica Pineda Flórez

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