Bernardo Kliksberg
Bernardo Kliksberg, Argentine economist and sociologist, is a global reference in development ethics and social management. Author of more than 50 books and advisor to international organizations, he has promoted academic networks and ethical leadership programs across Latin America. Recognized with global distinctions, his work combines research, advisory roles, and strategic communication to foster inclusion and social responsibility.
Education and consolidation of an ethical vision for development
Bernardo Kliksberg completed five university degrees and obtained two doctorates, graduating with the highest distinctions in each of them. From his academic beginnings, he demonstrated a commitment to integrating economics, management, and sociology within a common framework of social analysis. This multidisciplinary training laid the foundation for a vision centered on ethical values as the driving force behind public policy and institutional management.
Pioneer of a discipline: social management
He is considered the creator of “social management,” a discipline that places the human being at the center of development management. Under this paradigm, the fight against poverty and inequality does not depend solely on macroeconomic indicators, but also on the capacity of institutions to generate social capital and build more equitable societies. He was also a pioneer in introducing ethics into the development debate and in promoting corporate social responsibility in Latin America.
Intellectual production and strategic thought
Kliksberg has written more than fifty books and hundreds of academic articles. Among his most influential titles are Organizational Thought, Poverty. An Unpostponable Issue, Towards an Economy with a Human Face, and More Ethics, More Development. His book People First, co-authored with Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, consolidated an approach that links economics, ethics, and social justice. His works have been translated into several languages and are used as references in universities, multilateral organizations, and leadership training programs.
Training ethical leaders: programs and networks
He has promoted innovative programs for training young people committed to inclusive development. Among them stands out the initiative “100 Outstanding Youth for Development with Ethics,” replicated in numerous universities in Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay. He also created the international program “UNASUR Youth for a Social Economy and Regional Integration.” In addition, he chairs the Ibero-American Network of Universities for Corporate Social Responsibility, which brings together more than 250 institutions, and the Latin American Network of Universities for Social Entrepreneurship, with over 75 members.
International advisory work: impact on policies and development
Throughout his career, he has advised more than thirty countries and collaborated with high-level multilateral organizations, including the United Nations, UNESCO, UNICEF, ILO, OAS, and WHO. His role was decisive in the creation of inclusive development programs, state modernization plans, and regional integration projects. He also designed international cooperation strategies that promoted poverty reduction and the strengthening of democratic institutions in Latin America.
International recognition for a humanistic contribution
Kliksberg has received numerous recognitions, including honorary doctorates from universities on different continents. He was awarded the Order of Civil Merit by the Kingdom of Spain, becoming the first Argentine to receive it. In Argentina, the Senate granted him the Domingo Faustino Sarmiento Prize, and the Buenos Aires Legislature declared him an Illustrious Citizen. These distinctions reflect the global scope of his work and his influence on shaping public policies with a social vision.
Strategic communication: spreading thought and ethics
In addition to his academic and advisory work, Kliksberg has actively engaged in communicating his ideas to the general public. He produced and hosted the television series The Kliksberg Report, broadcast by Canal Encuentro, which ran for several seasons and gained international recognition. This experience demonstrated his ability to translate technical concepts into accessible language, bringing broad audiences into debates on ethics, development, and social responsibility.
Strategic impact and transformative vision
The career of Bernardo Kliksberg demonstrates an influence that transcends academia. His vision has transformed the way public and private management are conceived in relation to equity, ethics, and social inclusion. With an approach that combines scientific rigor, political action, and communication skills, he has established the idea that economic development lacks legitimacy if it does not include social justice. This legacy positions him as one of the most influential figures in building responsible leadership in Latin America and worldwide.
