Professor Nicholas Barr, Professor of Public Economics at the LSE European Institute and School of Public Policy, was awarded the Jon Aldecoa Prize by the Loreto Mutua in collaboration with the Novaster company for his studies on the sustainability of pension systems at a ceremony held in Madrid last week.
The award seeks to recognize the career of Professor Nicholas Barr, "one of the most respected economists for his contributions to the global debate around social security, as well as for his participation in the design of some systems of states". Barr is also known for his advisory work to organisations such as the World Bank and the IMF.
The organizers wanted to highlight the views of Barr, professor of Public Economics at the London School of Economics and author of more than 20 books, on how pension systems can be structured to be more efficient and sustainable. "The sustainability of pensions needs, among other things, adequate regulation," Barr pointed out at the time of the award ceremony. The economist also recalled the work of Jon Aldecoa as a pioneer in Socially Responsible Investment that recognized the need to educate people. He described Aldecoa as a leading voice in the Spanish pensions sector, who was inspired by what was being done in Europe and fought tenaciously for introducing Socially Responsible Investment into the Spanish pension system.
Alongside pensions, Jon Aldecoa and Nick Barr had a shared interest in teaching. Aldecoa was a renowned teacher; and if Nick Barr had not been in Madrid for the award ceremony, he would have been at an event at LSE as one of the recipients of this year’s LSE teaching awards.
Commenting on the award, Professor Nick Barr said: “It was very obvious that Jon Aldecoa commanded not only the respect but also the genuine affection of so many people attending the award ceremony. I am honoured to receive a prize commemorating his work and influence.”
Join us in congratulating Nicholas Barr for receiving this prestigious recognition of his work on the sustainability of pension systems.
This article is partly adapted from a translated excerpt of the original news article published in El Nacional.