La Jornada: Economist David Ibarra Muñoz receives the José Vasconcelos medal

Few economists in Mexico have established a school both in public service and in the classrooms in the way that David Ibarra Muñoz has done. As Secretary of the Treasury and professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the hallmark of his thinking has become a reference in the economy with a social perspective, which formed bases in Latin America, academics stated.

Hence, at 96 years old, “for his outstanding academic and professional career, as well as his contributions in the construction of economic thought with a social perspective,” the Mexican Culture Seminar awarded him the José Vasconcelos medal, a recognition that on dates close to May 15 is awarded to people who carry out “extensive educational work.”

“Today we face dark times, which threaten to separate our humanity (…) Circumstances force us to rethink what we want to sow for future generations. Therefore we must limit the ‘buts’ and find a way to prosper in community, remembering that ‘man is not man’s wolf,'” the academic noted in a very brief presentation read by his daughter Gabriela Ibarra.

Supported and “snuggled” – in his own terms – by the academics who are part of the Mexican Culture Seminar and colleagues from the most important public universities in Mexico, Ibarra Muñoz thanked, modestly in advance, what he called “exaggerated recognition” of his “contributions and abilities.”

“The university, intellectual and educational career of David Ibarra Muñoz represents an exceptional contribution to the strengthening of the Mexican public university and the development of Latin American economic thought and highly qualified human capital in the academic, institutional and productive fields,” said Felipe Leal, president of the Mexican Culture Seminar, when presenting the award to the economist.

Career as a public servant

Ibarra Muñoz, born in Querétaro in 1930, is an accountant and economist from UNAM and a doctor from Stanford University. He headed the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit between 1977 and 1982. He was also general director of Nacional Financiera and the National Bank of Mexico.

In addition, he was a consultant to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (where he also led the regional office in Mexico) and the Inter-American Development Bank, as well as an advisor to Petróleos Mexicanos. His teaching enclave to date is the Faculty of Economics of the UNAM, where he directs the Raúl Prébisch chair and chairs the editorial board of the magazine UNAM Economy. His work deals with economic growth, industrial policy, tax system, inequality and social development.

“Master Ibarra Muñoz’s journey has been long and fruitful,” highlighted Rolando Cordera, member of the Mexican Culture Seminar and central promoter for the recognition of whom he described as “an upright Mexican, impeccable public servant and economist committed to the best causes,” among them “development with equity and for equality, the sovereign exercise of the right to development, the formation of an effective Latin American regional unit for social progress, democracy and culture as essential components of ours and all societies.”

In the words with which Ibarra Muñoz received the award that has been awarded since 1999 – which in recent years has been awarded to Luis de Tavira and Gonzalo Celorio –, the economist recognized José Vasconcelos as “one of the great designers of national institutions of contemporary Mexico” and noted that his maxim “For my race the spirit will speak” implicitly expresses that “in these struggles history will judge us.”