Leszek BALCEROWICZ

Mr. Balcerowicz is a Professor of Economics at the Warsaw School of Economics (WSE), former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance (1989-1991 and 1997-200), former President of the National Bank of Poland (2001-2007).

Recipient of over thirty honours from universities and awards worldwide: (amon many) Ludwig Erhard Prize, Transatlantic Leadership Award, Central European Award for the Finance Minister of the Year 1998 in Central and Eastern Europe, Friedrich Augusta von Hayek Prize, Carl Bertelsmann Prize, Fasel Foundation Prize, Leontief Prize, Jegor Gajdar Prize, Milton Friedman Prize.

Awarded with Poland's highest decoration - Order of the White Eagle - for his contribution to the reforms in Poland (2005).

Leszek Balcerowicz is the author of more than 100 publications on economic issues in Poland and abroad. He is a member of the Group of Thirty, founded by Paul Volcker.

In 2008-2012 Leszek Balcerowicz has been appointed as the chairman of Bruegel, since then he is appointed Honorary Chairman. He was a member of the High Level Expert Group on EU Financial Supervision chaired by Jacques de Larosiére.

In 2009 he has been elected the President of International Atlantic Economic Society.

In 2007 Leszek Balcerowicz created FOR - the Civil Development Forum Foundation, a free market think-tank in Poland.