Jeffrey Sachs
Jeffrey Sachs is an American economist and professor known for his work on economic development, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.
Jeffrey Sachs is an American economist and professor known for his work on economic development, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. He has held senior roles at Columbia University and with the United Nations, and has advised governments on economic reform and global development policy. His research and policy work have focused on global macroeconomics and the intersection of economic growth with environmental sustainability.
Early life and education
Jeffrey Sachs was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1954. He studied at Harvard University, where he completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Academic career
Sachs spent over two decades at Harvard University before moving to Columbia University in 2002. At Columbia, he became associated with the Earth Institute and sustainable development research, leading the university’s initiatives in sustainability and global development.
United Nations and development work
Sachs advised UN secretaries-general on the Millennium Development Goals and later on broader sustainable development efforts. From 2002 to 2006, he directed the UN Millennium Project’s work on the Millennium Development Goals, and he served as special adviser to the UN Secretary-General from 2002 to 2018. He has also led or helped found initiatives focused on poverty reduction, including the Millennium Promise Alliance, and climate-related development policy through the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
Writing and public policy
Sachs has written influential books on poverty, globalization, sustainability, and economic policy, including several New York Times bestsellers such as The End of Poverty, Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet, and The Price of Civilization. His work has made him a prominent public voice on development economics and global public policy.
Key facts
- Sachs is an American economist associated with development economics and global macroeconomics.
- He has served as a professor at Columbia University and led the university’s Earth Institute and related sustainability initiatives.
- From 2002 to 2018, he served as a special adviser to the UN Secretary-General.
- He is co-founder and chief strategist of Millennium Promise Alliance, a nonprofit focused on ending extreme poverty and hunger.
- He has authored several books, including multiple New York Times bestsellers.
Sachs’s work on poverty reduction, climate policy, and sustainable development is relevant to Canadian readers interested in global economics, international development, and UN policy.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Jeffrey Sachs?
What is Jeffrey Sachs known for?
Where does Jeffrey Sachs work?
What books has Jeffrey Sachs written?
What was Jeffrey Sachs’s role at the United Nations?
References
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/money/Jeffrey-D-SachsSupports: Birth date, nationality, and overview as an economist advising countries and global poverty initiatives.
- U.S. Congress — https://www.congress.gov/117/meeting/house/114542/witnesses/HHRG-117-GO00-Bio-SachsJ-20220329.pdfSupports: Professional biography, Columbia University role, UN advisory roles, and major books.
- United Nations — https://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/advocates/members/jeffrey-sachs.shtmlSupports: UN Millennium Project role, special adviser status, and Millennium Promise Alliance.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_SachsSupports: Overview of UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, World Happiness Report, and broader career chronology.
- edX — https://www.edx.org/bio/jeffrey-d-sachsSupports: Professional summary, major works, and public recognition as an economist and author.
- Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/culture-magazines/sachs-jeffrey-dSupports: Education and academic career chronology at Harvard and Columbia.